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The word derives from [[Latin]] ''tyrannus'' meaning "illegitimate ruler", and ultimately from Greek τύραννος ''tyrannos'', meaning "sovereign, master", although the latter was not pejorative and applicable to both good and bad leaders alike.

The word derives from [[Latin]] ''tyrannus'' meaning "illegitimate ruler", and ultimately from Greek τύραννος ''tyrannos'', meaning "sovereign, master", although the latter was not pejorative and applicable to both good and bad leaders alike.

* [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tyrant Tyrant Online Etymology Dictionary]

* [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tyrant Tyrant - Online Etymology Dictionary]

* [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tyrant Tyrant - Definitions from Dictionary.com]

* [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tyrant Tyrant - Definitions from Dictionary.com]

== Historical forms ==

== Historical forms ==

In ancient Greece, tyrants were influential opportunists that came to [[power]] by securing the support of different factions of a [[deme]].  The word "tyrant" then carried no ethical censure; it simply referred to anyone who illegally seized executive power in a [[polis]] to engage in [[autocratic]], though perhaps benevolent, government, or leadership in a crisis. Support for the tyrants came from the growing class of business people and from the peasants who had no land or were in debt to the wealthy land owners. It is true that they had no [[law|legal] right to rule, but the people preferred them over kings or the [[aristocracy]]. The Greek tyrants stayed in power by using mercenary soldiers from outside of their respective city state. [http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/library/searches/searchdisplay.aspx?entryid=587065&fulltext=Tyrant&nav=non&specialtopicid=-1 "Tyrant"],  

In ancient Greece, tyrants were influential opportunists that came to [[power]] by securing the support of different factions of a [[deme]].  The word "tyrant" then carried no ethical censure; it simply referred to anyone who illegally seized executive power in a [[polis]] to engage in [[autocratic]], though perhaps benevolent, government, or leadership in a crisis. Support for the tyrants came from the growing class of business people and from the peasants who had no land or were in debt to the wealthy land owners. It is true that they had no [[law|legal] right to rule, but the people preferred them over kings or the [[aristocracy]]. The Greek tyrants stayed in power by using mercenary soldiers from outside of their respective city state. [http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/library/searches/searchdisplay.aspx?entryid=587065&fulltext=Tyrant&nav=non&specialtopicid=-1],  

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Political Science]]