Read the excerpt form Plato's Republic. Then answer the questions that follow.

Having got rid of foreign enemies, [the tyrant] makes himself necessary to the
State by always going to war. He is thus enabled to depress the poor by heavy
taxes, and so keep them at work; and he can get rid of bolder spirits by handing
them over to the enemy.
According to Plato, how are tyrants able to maintain power? Select all that apply.
(2 points)
They use taxation to oppress the population.
They provide jobs so the population is happy.
They distribute land to the poor to gain their support.
They use war to rid themselves of political opponents.
They build public works to distract people from problems

1 answer

According to Plato, tyrants are able to maintain power in the following ways:

  1. They use taxation to oppress the population.
  2. They use war to rid themselves of political opponents.

These options reflect how tyrants solidify their control and utilize conflict and economic pressure to maintain authority.