Final answer:
Tyranny in ancient Greece was often a form of government where an appointed aristocrat, without formal status, would rule to balance conflicts within the polis. It was sometimes perceived positively, as it provided social reforms and averted civil strife. In contrast, modern tyranny typically refers to oppressive and autocratic rule disregarding laws and citizens' welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tyranny in ancient Greece, particularly during the Age of Tyrants between 650-500 BCE, worked differently compared to modern understandings of tyranny. Tyrants in ancient Greece were often aristocrats who lacked official political status but were appointed by the citizens of a polis, usually to prevent civil conflict. They answered to the needs of the hoplites, the citizen-soldiers, and the general populace by enacting reforms such as land redistribution, sponsoring public works, and promoting trade.
The degree of political participation varied from one city-state to another in Greece, showing a range of political systems including monarchy, oligarchy, and ultimately, democracy. Solon's reforms in Athens around 600 BCE represent a shift towards more inclusive political systems, even though his changes were later followed by subsequent tyrannies that tried, but failed, to completely overturn the power of the aristocratic families.
Comparatively, the term 'tyranny' today implies an unjust and cruel ruler with absolute power, often ignoring the rule of law and oppressive to their people. This contrasts sharply with the ancient Greek experience where tyranny could be bureaucratically neutral or even positive, depending on the circumstances and the ruler.