Politics

​namely, that he must appear to his subjects to be not a tyrant but a steward and a kingly ruler, and not a usurper but a trustee, and to pursue moderation in life, not excess, and moreover to associate with the notables, and to win over the multitude. For from these things it is necessary not only that his rule be more beautiful and more enviable, because he rules over better people and not those who have been humbled, and does not continue to be hated and feared, but also that his rule be longer-lasting, and moreover, that he himself is disposed in character either well toward virtue or being half-good, and not wicked but half-wicked. And yet, of all constitutions, the shortest-lived are oligarchy and tyranny. For the longest-lasting was the tyranny around Sicyon, that of the sons of Orthagoras and of Orthagoras himself; and this remained for a hundred years. And the cause of this was that they treated their subjects with moderation and in many things were servants to the laws, and because Cleisthenes was warlike he was not easy to despise, and in most things they won over the multitude by their cares. At any rate, Cleisthenes is said to have crowned the judge who decided against him in a victory; and some say that the statue sitting in the marketplace is a likeness of the judge who decided thus. And they say also that Peisistratus once submitted when summoned to a trial before the Areopagus. And second is the tyranny around Corinth, that of the Cypselids; for this also lasted seventy-three years and six months; for Cypselus was tyrant for thirty years, Periander for forty-four, and Psammetichus the son of Gordias for three years. And the causes of this were the same; for Cypselus was a leader of the people and continued during his rule without a bodyguard, while Periander became tyrannical but was warlike. And third is the tyranny of the Peisistratids at Athens. But it was not continuous; for Peisistratus twice fled while being tyrant; so that within thirty-three years he was tyrant for seventeen of them, and his sons for eighteen, so that the whole came to thirty-five years. And of the rest, that of Hieron and Gelon around Syracuse. But this also did not last many years, but in all two years short of twenty; for Gelon, having been tyrant for seven years, ended his life in the eighth, and Hieron for ten, while Thrasybulus was expelled in his eleventh month. And most of the tyrannies have all been completely short-lived. Thus, the matters concerning constitutions and those concerning monarchies, from what causes they are destroyed and again preserved, have been almost fully discussed for all of them.