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Tyranny as a potential danger of political life was recognized from the beginning of the Western tradition, in the Bible as well as the classical political philosophy of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle. What is the nature of a tyrannical regime and a tyrannical soul? What sorts of strategic responses are available to those confronted with a tyrant’s power?

Ari and Ronna Burger address such questions through their discussion of the Book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish heroine in the court of an Oriental despot (Ahasuerus, identified with Xerxes in Herodotus). Dr. Burger teaches this text alongside Plato's Republic, which offers a political and psychological analysis of the tyrant, and Xenophon’s Hiero, which presents a carefully orchestrated dialogue between a poet-wise man and a tyrant who laments the misery of the life he is leading.

Ronna Burger is Catherine & Henry J. Gaisman Chair in Philosophy and Sizeler Professor of Jewish Studies at Tulane University.

Read more about her course: https://www.dropbox.com/s/18rd3qskfdm6zht/Tyranny%20and%20the%20Tyrannical%20Soul%20in%20the%20Bible%20and%20Greek%20Philosophy%20-%20Reader.pdf?dl=0