{"product_id":"hiero","title":"Hiéron","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if absolute power leaves you unable to trust a friend or enjoy an ordinary pleasure?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Xenophon's short dialogue Hiero, the poet Simonides visits Hiero, ruler of Syracuse in Sicily. He asks which life brings more happiness: that of a private citizen or that of a tyrant. Hiero knows both. His answer opens a bleak view of power from the ruler's side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Hiero, fear reaches into ordinary comforts, friendship, and honor. Simonides presses him: why do so many people want power if it brings such misery? Their conversation explores the gap between being feared and being loved, then turns toward practical ways a ruler might use power to earn goodwill.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat you'll discover\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePleasure under pressure\u003c\/strong\u003e – See why Hiero finds less joy in the comforts others expect a ruler to enjoy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriendship without trust\u003c\/strong\u003e – Consider the ruler's need for friends when fear makes trust so difficult.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe limits of honor\u003c\/strong\u003e – Ask what praise is worth when the people offering it fear your power.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA poet pushes back\u003c\/strong\u003e – Follow Simonides as he challenges Hiero's account of power and its burdens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower turned toward goodwill\u003c\/strong\u003e – Explore practical proposals for ruling well rather than relying on fear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for readers curious about power, leadership, and happiness who want an early work of political thought in a short dialogue rather than a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen the first page and join Hiero and Simonides in asking what power really gives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Library of Alexandria Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59534673117532,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1027\/9442\/8764\/files\/12226_en_ebook-front_c06.jpg?v=1792175068","url":"https:\/\/libraryofalexandria.com\/fr\/products\/hieron","provider":"The Library of Alexandria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}