Hallmarks of an oligarchy

"From being lovers of victory and lovers of honor, they become lovers of gain-getting and of money, and they commend and admire the rich man and put him in office but despise the man who is poor. " Plato speaking of an aristocracy's transformation into an oligarchy. The Republic. Book 8. Section 551a.



Image: Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Contantine I, once thought to be Agrippina the Younger mother of the emperor Nero, 4th century CE photographed at the Capitoline Museum in Rome, Italy.

Comments