Oligarchs
group · 3 works · 3 mentions · 4 anchored passages
oligarchies · oligarchs · oligarchical state · the few
in the texts
Against Ctesiphon
A political category allegedly used by Demosthenes to discredit prosecution supporters.
And I should not wonder if he should change his tactics and slander the listeners outside the bar, alleging that those whom truth herself has singled out and counted as oligarchs have come to the platform of the prosecution, but all the friends of the people to the platform of the defence.
For the Liberty of the Rhodians
Ruling minorities and their supporters, portrayed as enemies of democracy and liberty.
with oligarchies you fight for none of these things, but for your constitution and your liberty.
Then those who, by adopting oligarchical principles, abandon the post taken over by us from our ancestors, ought to be disqualified from ever giving you advice.
Now, all other wrongdoers must be considered the enemies of those only whom they have wronged, but when men overthrow free constitutions and change them to oligarchies, I urge you to regard them as the common enemies of all who love freedom.
Cyropaedia
Oligarchic political orders cited as examples of unstable human rule.
The thought once occurred to us how many republics have been overthrown by people who preferred to live under any form of government other than a republican, and again, how many monarchies and how many oligarchies in times past have been abolished by the people.