# Critias

> Athenian politician (c. 460 – 403 BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q294092](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294092)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critias)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/critias

## Summary
Critias was an Athenian politician who lived around 460-403 BC and was a member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution that ruled ancient Athens after the Peloponnesian War.

## Biography
- Born: c. 460 BC (no specific place mentioned)
- Nationality: Athenian (citizenship: Classical Athens)
- Education: Not specified in the source material
- Known for: Being a member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution in ancient Athens
- Employer(s): Member of the Thirty Tyrants (oligarchic institution)
- Field(s): Politician, writer, philosopher, poet (multiple occupations)

## Contributions
Critias is primarily known for his role as a member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution that governed Athens following the Peloponnesian War. As part of this group, he contributed to the establishment of an oligarchic government that replaced the democratic system that had previously dominated Athens. The specific policies and actions undertaken by the Thirty Tyrants during their brief rule (404-403 BC) had significant impacts on Athenian society and politics.

## FAQs
### What was Critias's role in ancient Athens?
Critias served as a member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution that ruled Athens after the Peloponnesian War, representing the aristocratic faction that opposed democratic governance.

### When did Critias live?
He lived from approximately 460 to 403 BC, during the transition period from Athenian democracy to oligarchic rule.

### What was the Thirty Tyrants?
The Thirty Tyrants were a group of thirty oligarchs appointed to govern Athens after the city's defeat in the Peloponnesian War, implementing policies that favored the aristocratic class and suppressed democratic institutions.

### What was Critias's citizenship?
Critias was an Athenian citizen, belonging to the city-state of Classical Athens.

## Why They Matter
Critias played a significant role in the political history of ancient Athens as a member of the Thirty Tyrants, which represented a pivotal shift from democratic to oligarchic rule. His involvement in this institution had lasting impacts on Athenian politics and the development of Athenian democracy, as the brief oligarchic period influenced subsequent political developments in ancient Greece. The Thirty Tyrants' policies and actions during their rule shaped Athenian society and contributed to the eventual restoration of democracy.

## Notable For
- Member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution that ruled Athens after the Peloponnesian War
- Lived during the transition period from Athenian democracy to oligarchic rule
- Represented the aristocratic faction that opposed democratic governance
- Contributed to the establishment of an oligarchic government that replaced democratic institutions

## Body
### Early Life
Critias was born around 460 BC in Athens, Greece. The exact details of his early life and education are not provided in the source material. However, he was part of the aristocratic class that opposed democratic governance in Athens.

### Career
Critias was a prominent Athenian politician who lived during the late 5th and early 4th centuries BC. His most significant role was as a member of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchic institution that ruled Athens after the defeat in the Peloponnesian War. This institution was established in 404 BC and represented a shift from democratic to oligarchic rule in Athens.

### The Thirty Tyrants
The Thirty Tyrants were a group of thirty oligarchs appointed to rule Athens after the defeat in the Peloponnesian War. They were responsible for implementing harsh policies that favored the aristocratic class and suppressed democratic institutions. Critias was one of the key members of this group and played an active role in the political decisions that shaped Athens during this period.

### The Political Context
The Thirty Tyrants came to power following the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta. The oligarchic government was established to restore order and prevent further civil strife. Critias, as a member of this group, was involved in the implementation of policies that favored the aristocratic class and suppressed democratic institutions.

### The End of the Tyranny
The Thirty Tyrants' rule was brief, lasting only about a year before being overthrown by democratic forces led by Thrasybulus. Critias's role in this period was significant as he represented the aristocratic faction that sought to maintain control over Athens.

### Legacy
Critias's legacy is primarily associated with his role in the Thirty Tyrants and the impact of this oligarchic government on Athenian democracy. His actions during this period had lasting effects on the political development of Athens and influenced subsequent political developments in ancient Greece. The brief oligarchic period became a cautionary tale about the dangers of oligarchic rule and the importance of democratic institutions.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. CERL Thesaurus
5. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
6. Enciclopedia Treccani
7. Dizionario di Storia