Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

intoxication by freedom leading to tyranny

intoxication_by_freedom_leading_to_tyranny

A motif of the Pride, Hubris, and Downfall family, within the sub-family Political Degeneration and Regime Sequences. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions


greek

  • The Republic BOOK V. / BOOK VI. / BOOK VII. / BOOK VIII.; lines 21268-21405 confidence: high

    The dialogue turns to tyranny and the tyrant and states that tyranny has a democratic origin, springing from democracy after a sort.

    Democracy's insatiable desire for freedom is figured as thirst and strong wine, and this excess is said to occasion a demand for tyranny.

    read in the book