Isonomia
“rule of the multitude”
idea · 2 works · 3 mentions · 4 anchored passages
isonomia · equal distribution · equality · equilibrium · rule of the multitude
in the texts
On the Nature of the Gods
The Epicurean principle of balance holding that for every mortal kind of nature there must exist a corresponding immortal kind.
You take refuge in equilibrium (for so let us call isonomia, if you please) and say that, since there is a mortal nature, there must also be an immortal one.
In it we must understand that the nature is such that all things answer to all, like to like in equal numbers;
The Histories
Rule by the assembled citizen body, praised by Otanes for its equality and accountability and rejected by Megabyzus as rule by an ignorant mob.
for men fleeing the insolence of a tyrant to fall victim to the insolence of the unguided populace is by no means to be tolerated.
But the rule of the multitude has in the first place the loveliest name of all, equality, and does in the second place none of the things that a monarch does.
Let those like democracy who wish ill to Persia; but let us choose a group of the best men and invest these with the power. For we ourselves shall be among them, and among the best men it is likely that there will be the best counsels.”