Important Notice: Our web hosting provider recently started charging us for additional visits, which was unexpected. In response, we're seeking donations. Depending on the situation, we may explore different monetization options for our Community and Expert Contributors. It's crucial to provide more returns for their expertise and offer more Expert Validated Answers or AI Validated Answers. Learn more about our hosting issue here.
To the ancient Greeks it simply meant a sole ruler who had come by power unconstitutionally, and did not necessarily imply bad rule. Nowadays we interpret the word as someone who rules cruelly and arbitrarily. A tyrant sets his cruel whims above the law, or changes the law at whim, and is obeyed because people are too frightened to defy him.
