Τύραννος

1. an absolute sovereign , unlimited by law or constitution, (Herdotus Historicus), etc.: not applied to old hereditary sovereignties βασιλεῖαι); such as those of (Homer) or of Sparta; for the term rather regards the irregular way in which the power was gained , than the way in which it was exercised , being applied to the mild Pisistratus, but not to the despotic kings of Persia. However, the word soon came to imply reproach, like our tyrant , (Plato Philosophus), etc.

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