Ausurper is anillegitimate or controversial claimant topower, often but not always in amonarchy.[1][2] In other words, one who takes the power of acountry,city, or established region for oneself, without any formal or legal right to claim it as one's own.[3] Usurpers can rise to power in a region by often unexpected physical force such as via acoup d'état, as well as through political influence and deceit.[4]
The word originally came from the Latin wordusurpare (“to seize", "to take forcefully" or "to use”).[5]
The Greeks had their own conception of what usurpers were, calling them tyrants.[6] In the ancient Greek usage, atyrant (tyrannos/τύραννος in Greek) was an individual who rose to power via unconstitutional or illegitimate means, usually not being an heir to an existing throne.[6] Such individuals were perceived negatively by political philosophers such asSocrates,Plato andAristotle.[7][8][9]
Usurpers often try to legitimize their position by claiming to be a descendant of a ruler that they may or may not be related to. According toHerodotus, this was done by someone impersonatingSmerdis in order to seize the throne ofCyrus the Great after his death.[10]
The concept of usurpation played a huge role in the governance of monarchies, often carrying disdain to those who have been accused of it.[11] Lengthy advice was given to potential and actual usurpers by the political philosopherNiccolo Machiavelli in his bookThe Prince.[12][13] Methods discussed were pertinent to the establishment of a more secure principality for the ruler, which Machiavelli stated would require evil to be done at some point.[14]
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