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)
Responses

They use taxation to oppress the population.
They use taxation to oppress the population.

They provide jobs so the population is happy.
They provide jobs so the population is happy.

They distribute land to the poor to gain their support.
They distribute land to the poor to gain their support.

They use war to rid themselves of political opponents.
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 through the following means:

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

These options align directly with the excerpt provided, as it mentions heavy taxes to depress the poor and the act of handing over bolder spirits to the enemy to get rid of political threats.