"A 'tyranny,' in the Greek sense of the word, was the irresponsible dominion of a single person, not founded on hereditary right, like the monarchies of the heroic ages and of many barbarian nations, nor on a free election, like that of a dictator or æsymnete, but on force. It did not change its character when transmitted through several generations, nor was any other name invented to describe it when power, which had been acquired by violence, was used for the public good; though Aristotle makes it an element in the definition of tyranny, that it is exercised for selfish ends. But, according to the ordinary Greek notions, and the usage of the Greek historians, a mild and beneficent tyranny is an expression which involves no contradiction." _C. Thirlwall, History of Greece, chapter 10._ "In spite of the worst which has been said against them, the tyrants hold a legitimate place in the progress of Greek constitutional history. They were the means of breaking down the oligarchies in the interests of the people. … It was at Sicyon that the first tyrannis arose. … About the year 670 B. C. a certain Orthagoras, who is said to have been a cook, succeeded in establishing himself as tyrant in Sicyon. Of his reign no incident is recorded. He was succeeded by his son Myron." _E. Abbott, History of Greece, part 1, chapter 12._ ALSO IN: _J. P. Mahaffy, Problems in Greek History, chapter 4._ See, also, DESPOTS. TYRAS, The. The ancient name of the river Dniester. TYRCONNEL'S DOMINATION IN IRELAND. See IRELAND: A. D. 1685-1688. ----------TYRE: Start-------- TYRE.