Hiero - Is the life of a tyrant perferable to a private life?

A Discourse on Despotic Rule

This is the original text, and a relevant work by Leo Strauss can be found here.

Xenophon’s Hiero is devoted entirely to a discussion on tyranny, and quite akin to many of his works, demonstrate his interest in describing leadership, and the qualities that are essential for this purpose.

The text is a mostly, almost, deceptively simple dialogue between a somewhat disturbed Hieron, tyrant of Syracuse, who, in a moment of leisure, engages in coversation with the poet, Simonides. Simonides asks Hieron to use his experience to shed light on the difference between the life of a ‘private man’, and that of a tyrant.

As we delve into the discussion, we must, at first, be clear on who we call a tyrant. It is important to note, that in classical antiquity, a despot/tyrant was not necessary a malevolent ruler, but merely a person who illegally or unconstitutionally seized power. Throughout the text, Xenophonms to believe that the tyrant, even at his best is an inefficient ruler, and must be guided by another man.

The primary subject of conversation seems to be the difference in the life of a ruler (more strictly, his political life) and the life of a private or common man.