Abstract

Studies of ancient tyranny often overlook a main theme of analysis: Plato’s and Aristotle’s description of the tyrant as an actor playing non-tyrannical roles. The understanding of tyranny as an imitation of other political regimes creates considerable difficulties for historical and political inquiries. These difficulties concern the naming and recognition of monarchical forms of power, as well as the nature of political (self-) representation. For Plato, tyrannical actions take place under the sign of mimesis. To escape the difficulties that arise from defining a political regime according to the parameter of imitation, Plato introduces two paradoxical figures in the dialogues: thepowerless tyrant (in the Republic) and the virtuous tyrant (in the Laws).