institution

The Thirty Tyrants

the Thirty

also: the Thirty, Thirty Tyrants, triginta tyranni

The pro-Spartan oligarchy of thirty men imposed on Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War, who ruled by terror in 404–403 BC until overthrown by Thrasybulus. Cicero cites Socrates' refusal to leave the city even under their rule as an exemplum for staying put under a tyrant.

Reading notes

Ad Atticum 8.2 §4 when the Thirty Tyrants were in power
The Thirty were the brutal pro-Spartan oligarchy that ruled Athens in 404-403 BC after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War. Cicero cites Socrates, who refused to leave the city even under their terror, as the authority for staying put under a tyrant rather than fleeing.
On the Laws §1.42 those Thirty at Athens
The board of thirty oligarchs imposed on Athens by Sparta in 404 BC, whose brief, bloody rule became the stock example of tyranny. Cicero cites them to argue that an unjust enactment is no true law however widely approved.
Tusculan Disputations §1.96 thrown into prison by order of the Thirty Tyrants
The Thirty Tyrants, the oligarchy (including Critias) imposed on Athens by Sparta in 404 BC after the Peloponnesian War, notorious for their executions. Theramenes, once one of them, was condemned by them.