Tyranny in Akragas: religion as a political tool or an unavoidable concomitant attribute?

The article examines the relationship between authorities and religion in ancient Greek society during the era of tyranny, focusing on one of the Sicilian poleis with a tyrannical form of government - Acragas. The study analyzes information from ancient sources that describe the active religious policies of the Sicilian tyrants Phalaris and Theron. The research leads to the following conclusions: religion in Ancient Greece formed an inviolable part of the Greek worldview, and contemporaries could perceive its use as a tool for achieving personal, especially selfish, goals as the greatest blasphemy and crime. The tyrants themselves were also religious devotees, characterized by natural piety and worship. This explains their pursuit of an active religious policy in the poleis they governed.