During the VII and VI centuries B.C. in many Greek city-states (poleis) went on a process, whose purpose was to solve pressing of the political and economic problems. On this background appeared in the western Greek colonies, where there was not a common law tradition, the first legislators, whose job was to create a solid legal system. Among the most famous lawmakers is mentioned the Athenian Drakon (VII century B.C.), Solon (early VI century B.C.), as well as a Spartan Lykurgos (about. 600 B.C.) considered to be the creator of the Spartan State regime. A special role as a lawmaker in Athens played Solon, whom the citizens in the year 594 B.C. asked to realize legislative and policy reforms, which aim was to protect the poors and the disadvantaged, and to restrain the omnipotent aristocracy. Political, economic and social crisis, which has affected many Greek states in the VII century B.C. has led to the emergence of tyranny, which was a kind of transitional form between the governments of the aristocracy and democracy.
The Greek word “tyrannos” marked the monarchic authority, which was imposed by the person concerned without a constitutional basis. Initially in the VII and VI centuries the word „tyranny” had not for Greeks the negative significance. This term acquired the sense opposite of democracy not before the IV century B.C., when it became synonymous with the rule of terror and injustice. Tyrants as usurpers who illegally had claimed power and held it by force, appeared in the cities of Ionia, on the western shores of Asia Minor: at Miletus, Ephesus, as well as in Corinth, Sikion, Megara, Athens, on the islands of Samos, Lesbos, and Sicily. Usually tyrants resisted his authority on the broad masses of the population, using existing laws and institutions for their own and arbitrary policy. They contributed to improving the situation of the poorest through public works in cities and the seizure and distribution between poor large estates. They protected people in the courts, they were moving away the nobility from power and depriving them estates and influence. On the one hand, the tyrants were gaining the favor and support of the people and, on the other hand the hate of aristocrats.
Aristotle in such a way specified the role of the tyrant: „Because the state consists of two elements: the poor class and class wealthy people, the tyrants should inspire belief in the one and the other, that their well-being is based on his power, and make that one should not injure another …The purpose of all these treatments is clear: the tyrant in the eyes of his subjects should not be a bully, but the governor and the king, not a usurper, but guardian „(Aristotle, Politics, V 9, 19). Greek tyrants surrounded by outstanding artists and poets whom they invited from the different parts of the Greek world, organized games with a great pomp and celebration. The rule of the tyrants was usually short, only in some states even lasting decades, they were finished mostly by their exile as a result of a conspiracy.
The power in the state was passing then back into the hands of the aristocracy.