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Arcesilas Application Of Power In Pindar's

741 Words3 Pages

Pindar characterizes Arcesilas IV as a talented leader, gifted orator, and fierce competitor who should be a great king; but he lacks the wisdom to properly apply what he has inherited. Pindar’s remark that “The wise handle power in a more noble fashion, even when it is given by a god” implies a dissatisfaction with Arcesilas’ application of power. Arcesilas is attempting to consolidate the power he personally wields in his kingdom, and disregards the laws that were made to equalize the classes of Cyrene. Pindar’s advice even exhorts the tyrannical Arcesilas to be careful of mounting insurrection, as he hopes “no stormy blast of autumn wind disrupt his life to come. ” The Greeks were not adverse to monarchies ruled by self-serving tyrants, …show more content…

Similar to the validation of ostracism developed in Athens, this prevented people from coalescing around a single outspoken leader. While drastic, is seems that banishment under Arcesilas IV, like ostracism, was not permanent. Pindar’s appeal that Arcesilas accept Damophilus, a Cyrenaic exile, back into the city indicates that there was a chance for return, probably after the exiles’ status had fallen. However, this may have been a more lenient policy than that employed under other tyrants, as the common advice of the time, according to Aristotle, was to “cut away powerful citizens. ” This action also shows the ability of Arcesilas IV to adapt to his ancestors’ mistakes. Arcesilas III was assassinated in by Cyrenaic exiles while outside the city, so Arcesilas may have banished the powerful without having any intention of leaving, therefore not repeating the mistakes of his …show more content…

To be a tyrant, the king will use his power to focus on personal pleasure instead of the honor of the citizens, and will bring in mercenaries to protect him from the will of the people. Tyranny in this form is a corruption of monarchy, described as rule by the singular best man over the other citizens; in turn, the king would be protected by those he honors- the citizenry. Arcesilas’ adoption of a mercenary army is indicative of his abandonment of the justice oriented monarchy to serve his own needs. Pindar attempts to rectify this in line three, where he exhorts Arcesilas to use justice in order to increase his fame and reputation, as well as reconcile his image to the

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