Critias of Athens
Critias of Athens was a prominent figure from an aristocratic family, notably related to the esteemed lawmaker Solon and the philosopher Plato, who was his uncle. He was an influential thinker who engaged with notable contemporaries such as Socrates and the Sophists, producing works that included prose and poetry, notably a treatise praising the Spartan constitution. Critias's political career was marked by controversy; he was implicated in the mutilation of herms in 415 BCE but avoided prosecution due to information from a fellow citizen. After a period of exile, where he reportedly participated in a democratic movement, Critias returned to Athens in 404 BCE as a leader of the Thirty Tyrants, a pro-Spartan oligarchy. His rule was infamous for its brutality, leading to the execution of many, including his colleague Theramenes, who sought to expand the oligarchic power. His reign of terror ended in 403 BCE when he was killed in battle against democratic forces. Critias's legacy is largely remembered for his harsh governance and appears in the works of Plato, reflecting both his philosophical contributions and his historical notoriety.
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Critias of Athens
Related civilizations: Athens, Sparta, Classical Greece
Major role/position: Statesman, military leader, writer
Life
Critias (KRIHSH-ee-uhs) of Athens was from an aristocratic family that traced itself to Solon. The uncle of Plato, he associated with Socrates as well as the Sophists and wrote a variety of works in prose and poetry, including a treatise in praise of the Spartan constitution.
In 415 b.c.e., he was implicated in the mutilation of the herms (statues of Hermes) but was released because of information provided by Andocides. His involvement in the Four Hundred remains uncertain. While in exile for proposing a motion to recall Alcibiades of Athens, he lived in Thessaly and allegedly participated in a democratic revolution.
In 404 b.c.e., Critias returned to Athens and became the leader of the Thirty Tyrants, the pro-Spartan oligarchy. He was responsible for their reign of terror, during which fifteen hundred people were killed. According to Xenophon, he had his colleague Theramenes executed for attempting to broaden the oligarchy. In 403 b.c.e., Critias fell in battle against the democratic exiles. After his death, a monument is said to have been erected in his honor, showing a personified Oligarchy setting a torch to Democracy.
Influence
Critias appears in Plato’s dialogues, one of which is named after him. He was known throughout antiquity primarily for his brutality and ruthlessness.
Bibliography
Curd, Patricia, and Richard D. McKirahan. A Presocratic Reader. Indianapolis, Ind.: Hackett, 1996.
Guthrie, W. K. C. A History of Greek Philosophy. 6 vols. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1978-1990.
Krentz, Peter. The Thirty at Athens. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1982.