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Form of government in which a small group of powerful people (rich or aristocratic) make all decisions for society. Sparta had an oligarchy.
Athens was ruled in the 7th century BC by aristocrats who held the office of archon (chief magistrate)
Also in Athens, there was a short-lived oligarchy known as the "Four Hundred" that was established during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (411 BC). It was soon followed by a mixed oligarchy-democracy called the “Five Thousand”
In 404 BC, the government of "thirty tyrants" (really an oligarchy) took brief control (with Spartan support) following Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War. The tyrants opposed democracy, believing that democracy had resulted in the war.
What is oligarchy?