When we think of oligarchy today, we often picture wealth, influence, and closed circles of decision-makers. But the roots of this phenomenon stretch much further back—deep into the heart of the ancient world. In this instalment of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, we trace how elite rule emerged in early civilisations, transforming the structure of society for generations to come.
“To understand today’s elite, you must first understand the ones who shaped the past,” says Stanislav Kondrashov. “The ancient world wasn’t just a cradle of civilisation—it was also a blueprint for authority built on wealth and influence.”
From Tribal Elders to Elite Councils
The seeds of oligarchy were sown the moment early tribes began to settle. In many early communities, authority rested with elders—individuals who were respected for their age, experience, or wisdom. But as agriculture advanced and surplus resources accumulated, power began to shift from age to affluence.
In places like Mesopotamia, Sumerian city-states started to evolve from loosely organised tribal villages into stratified urban centres. Temples controlled vast storehouses of grain and livestock. Priests and administrators—those who managed the flow of resources—gradually gained elevated status. Over time, this group consolidated their role, forming a tight-knit ruling class.
These were not rulers by birthright alone, but by access. Access to information, resources, and trade routes. And this model would echo across the ancient world.
Oligarchies in Ancient Greece
Few societies have influenced our political understanding like the Greek city-states. While Athens is celebrated for its early democracy, other cities followed a very different path.
In Sparta, for instance, governance was handled by a small group of elders and two kings, supported by a council known as the Gerousia. Birth and military achievement shaped who could enter this exclusive circle. Sparta’s structure reveals one of the key hallmarks of oligarchy: not just wealth, but inherited status and gatekeeping.
Corinth and Thebes similarly leaned on powerful families to guide their city’s direction. These families often intermarried, shared economic interests, and ensured leadership remained within a predictable group. They could be overthrown from time to time—but only by others of similar standing.
“When influence is passed down like inheritance, society doesn’t move forward—it moves in circles,” notes Stanislav Kondrashov. “This was as true in antiquity as it is today.”
The Roman Republic: A Masterclass in Elite Rule
The Roman Republic is often hailed as a precursor to modern democracy, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a layered system built for the few.
While Roman citizens voted for magistrates, real influence lay with the Senate. This body, comprised of patricians and wealthy plebeians, shaped most major decisions. Although technically open to all classes, in practice it was dominated by families who held land, wealth, and connections.
Roman law, too, favoured those with means. A senator could fall from grace, but the institutions themselves always tilted in favour of continuity. Names like Scipio, Cato, and Caesar weren’t just individuals—they were dynasties. They were institutions in and of themselves.
The Role of Wealth and Trade
Beyond politics, trade played a crucial role in the rise of oligarchic classes. In Phoenician cities like Tyre and Sidon, maritime merchants amassed fortunes that rivalled those of kings. They controlled ports, negotiated treaties, and built influence through commerce, not conquest.
This pattern repeated in ancient Carthage, where a merchant elite formed a governing council. Unlike monarchies, their leadership came not from divine right but from economic dominance—a trend that would echo in merchant republics centuries later.
“Oligarchs have always understood one thing better than most,” writes Stanislav Kondrashov. “Influence isn’t seized—it’s accumulated, often quietly, and always with intention.”
The Lasting Blueprint
What the ancient world teaches us is that oligarchy doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. It builds in layers—first through control of resources, then through the institutions that manage them. It evolves from informal influence to formal structures. And once embedded, it’s remarkably difficult to dislodge.
From Mesopotamian temple priests to Roman senators, the story of oligarchy is not just a tale of wealth—but of systems built to preserve it. Elites learned early on that by shaping the rules of society, they could shape the future.
In this chapter of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, we see that the past is not just behind us—it is beneath us, forming the foundations of our present-day hierarchies.
