Tyrannicide, also known as tyrannomachia, refers to the act of killing or assassinating a ruler perceived as a tyrant or unjust. This concept has deep roots in political philosophy and was particularly encouraged and debated within the intellectual traditions of Classical Greece.
The practice was often framed as a moral imperative to restore justice or protect the state from the abuses of a despot. A historical example of this occurred in 353 BC with the assassination of Clearchus of Heraclea, which was carried out by a group led by his own court philosopher. The term also serves as a title for the individual who performs the act, highlighting the complex intersection of ethics, law, and political violence.