Thrasybulus: An Example Of Tyranny In Ancient Greece

Many extensive examples of tyranny have existed in ancient Greece. One of the most influential examples is considered to be Thrasybulus, who was the tyrant of Miletus during the 7th century. Thrasybulus is manly well known for his action of walking through a field of corn with a messenger from Corinth. Thrasybulus believed that a ruler needed to remove its competition or the ruler would be eliminated. After his influence, tyranny would soon take an impact in the region and societies would not respond very well. Thrasybulus set the foundation for how many tyrants would rule for years to come.
Thrasybulus would often do unusual actions to give out credible advice. For example, Corinth sent a messenger to Thrasybulus for advice on modes to rule.

The result, Thrasybulus led the messenger without the city, and took him into a field of corn, through which he began to walk. While Thrasybulus asked him again and again concerning his coming from Corinth, he broke off and threw away such ears of corn as overtopped the rest (Spielvogel 62). In such a case, the message Thrasybulus was trying to get across to the messenger is that a ruler must remove others who may have the power to overthrow the ruler. This is to protect the ruler and make sure he can establish what he wants in what he is ruling.
Thrasybulus would recommend banishing the higher class and more powerful citizens because they would pose a threat. If a ruler did something the higher class did not approve of, the ruler could possibly get overthrown. In order to insure the security of the ruling position, one has to eliminate the competition. Thrasybulus advised the destruction of all the leading citizens, treated his subjects from this time forward with the greatest cruelty (Spielvogel 62). He seen the higher class as an enemy and wanted them to be treated cruelly.
Many tyrants followed the advice that Thrasybulus stated. They began to become considerably oppressive, especially by their rivals for political power. Periander, who ruled Corinth, soon became known as a bad tyrant and ruled for 40 years. Tyrants were taking advantage of their power and becoming evil. They treated their citizens awfully and began to eliminate their enemies.
Tyranny in ancient Greece soon took a turn for the worst. The children and grandchildren of tyrants, who tended to be corrupted by their inherited power and wealth, often became cruel and unjust rulers, making tyranny no longer seem such a desirable institution (Spielvogel 62). Tyranny soon left the region, but the impact it had on Greek history can not be erased. The rule of narrow aristocratic oligarchies was destroyed (Spielvogel 62). Once tyranny left, more people got the chance to participate in the way their communities were governed. This ultimately led to the construction of democracy in some communities, but in others, oligarchies somehow managed to stay in power. The Greek states started to establish a variety of governments that differed from community to community.
Thrasybulus was a tyrant who set an example for many tyrants to come. He was often the one to give out advice on how to rule under certain circumstances. He gave out advice by demonstrating certain acts such as walking through a field of corn. After his influence, tyranny would soon take a down fall after the tyrants started to abuse their powers. Thrasybulus believed in eliminating anyone the might threaten the rein of a tyrant. Thrasybulus was a very persuasive tyrant.