Thirty Tyrants

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The Thirty Tyrants were a pro-Spartan oligarchy installed in Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War in April 404 BC. Its two leading members were Theramenes and Critias, the latter a former acolyte of Socrates.

The Thirty severely reduced the rights of Athenian citizens. Participation in legal functions—which had previously been open to all Athenians—was restricted to a select group of 500 persons. Only 3,000 Athenians were granted the right to carry weapons or receive a jury trial. In ancient Greece, hemlock was used to poison condemned prisoners. Hundreds were condemned to drink the fatal cup of hemlock and thousands more were exiled.

The Thirty Tyrants were overthrown by the exiled general Thrasybulus and his allies from Thebes in 403 BC.