Philotheos Theronid

Philotheos Theronid, famously known as the Tyrant of Knossus, led a rebellion during the First Republic against the government in early 506 AVC.

Rise And Fall
Little is known of Philoetheos' early career. What is known is that in late 490 AVC, during the build up to the Liberation of Rhodes, the Populist Party leader Nicodemus Theronid was assassinated by unknown assailants. With a vacuum in party leadership, Philotheos Theronid (relationship unknown), was elected to fill the void. A popular leader, Philotheos quickly gained adherents.

The Mercantilist Party member and general Zenodoros Pytheid had attempted to overthrow the government during the Liberation of Rhodes and had been defeated by the Religious Party member and general Meleager Omirid. This sparked an anti-merchant backlash which Philotheos used to advance his political fortunes, getting himself elected Archon in the 500 AVC elections. The 500 AVC legislative session resulted in gridlock with the Populists proposing the "Common Marriage Act" and the Religious Party promulgating the "Reasonable Stability Act" which forbade the Archon from reducing regional stability. Because of the split in the Senate, there was no bill passed in 500 AVC, giving the Archon a free hand to appoint members of his party to prominent positions and spend the treasury as he saw fit.

Upon entering office, Philotheos appointed the popular general Meleager to the position of Censor and forced him to step down as Strategos. Philotheos then took command of the Army himself. When a small rebellion broke out on Rhodes, Philotheos subdued it and held a massive Triumph in his own honor. Philotheos also appointed the Populist Party member and Nautikon Phillip Helladid The Elder to the prestigious position of Censor with Meleager Omirid.

In the elections of 505 AVC, a Civic Party member, Alexander Pytheid was elected and Philotheos retired to his estate in Gortyn, one of the richest men in Crete. In the legislative session of 505 AVC, the "Permanent End to Nominal Imprisonment Act" was promulgated in response to the actions of Zenodoros Pytheid only 7 years before, mandating that all native Cretan traitors be put to death for the crimes. This was seen as a tyrannical act across the country and was a catalyst for Philotheos' revolt.



In early 506, Philotheos gathered his adherents in Knossus and formed an Army to march on Gortyn. Philotheos assumed dictatorial powers and claimed that those powers were necessary to win the war. Meleager Omirid was recalled into service as Strategos of the army and was sent to subdue the rebels. Meleager pushed the rebels back from Gortyn and defeated Philotheos for good in Knossus. In late 506, the Tyrant of Knossus, Philotheos Theronid, was put to death by the victorious general Meleager Omirid.