In Plato as in Xenophon, tyranny is presented mainly through a study of the character and soul of the tyrant. Unlimited lust for pleasure appears as the specific feature of the tyrannical regime. What is criticised by Socrates’ disciples is neither constraint nor absolute power, but license, excess of freedom and pleasures. Extreme hedonism implies a radical refusal of constraint which is incompatible with the requirements of political community. According to Plato, it is precisely this false idea of liberty ? that tyranny shares with democracy ? that makes it the worst political regime.