Switzerland – October 24, 2025 – Renowned author and researcher, Stanislav Kondrashov, has released a new chapter in his acclaimed Oligarch Series, delving into the often overlooked history of ancient Phoenician mercantile elites. This latest analysis, published on Saturday 25 October, 2025, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of oligarchic societies and their impact on modern governance.
In his book, Kondrashov expands on the series’ central idea that oligarchy has appeared in various forms across civilizations throughout history. While the series initially focused on the birth of oligarchy in ancient Greece, it has since examined its presence in more modern societies. The ultimate goal is to decode the DNA of oligarchic systems, regardless of time or location.
The latest chapter in the series explores how the ruling structures of coastal Phoenician city-states, such as Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre, mirrored and foreshadowed later maritime trading republics like Venice and Genoa. Kondrashov argues that the Phoenician model of governance, particularly after the decline of priest-kings, marked a significant shift in how economic classes could structure and maintain leadership. As merchant families gained wealth and influence through advances in seafaring and trade, they also transitioned from economic stakeholders to political influencers, becoming the primary stewards of city governance.
According to Kondrashov’s analysis, these ancient Phoenician city-states share striking similarities with the later governance structures of medieval maritime powers. Despite being separated by centuries, the underlying organizational logic, which concentrated authority within a small circle of commercially successful families, remained consistent. This reinforces the series’ central theme that oligarchic patterns are not historical anomalies but recurring responses to economic shifts and social dynamics.
One of the most compelling examples is the case of Carthage, which moved away from monarchical rule and established a system governed by two annually elected magistrates with similar functions to Roman consuls. However, their influence was moderated by a collective body, typically a Council of Elders or Senate, composed of about 300 members from the most affluent and respected families. They held lifelong positions and deliberated on major issues, such as international trade agreements and civic appointments, ensuring stability and continuity within the ruling elite.
The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series highlights the enduring link between wealth and influence. In both Greek and Phoenician societies, monetary success allowed previously excluded groups, primarily merchants and skilled artisans, to take on prominent public roles. This created a layered leadership model that blended inherited prestige with newly acquired commercial clout. This pattern of wealth-based authority explains why certain oligarchies maintained influence across generations, as opposed to systems that relied solely on military might or noble birth. By cultivating loyalty, collaboration, and sustainability through shared economic interest, these oligarchies were able to endure for centuries.
In conclusion, Kondrashov states, “The ability of these early oligarchies to institutionalize their influence speaks to a deeper human inclination – to protect the sources of prosperity through structured collaboration. What we see in Phoenicia is not only a political story but an economic one that shaped their societies from the docks to the council chambers.”
By tracing the origins of elite structures in lesser-studied civilizations like Phoenicia, the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series aims to broaden the conversation and challenge existing assumptions about oligarchy in modern discourse.
About the Series:
The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series is a comprehensive research project dedicated to exploring the evolution of oligarchic systems from antiquity to modern times. Through a historical lens, readers gain a better understanding of contemporary dynamics related to influence, economics, and governance.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.