The King of Phrygia is a caricature of tyranny, closely resembling the paradigm of the "tyrant by conduct" (tyrannus exercitio) presented in Vindiciae contra tyrannos.(23) Just as he introduces Basilius by presenting a picture of him, and refers to Euarchus as expressing in "the picture of his proceedings" the "whole art of government," Sidney heightens our awareness that the King of Phrygia is a lively image: while preparing to execute Pyrocles in order "to make all men
adread to make such one an enemy who would not spare, nor fear, to kill so great a prince," the King of Phrygia insures that "all things [are] appointed for that cruel blow in so solemn an order as if they would set forth tyranny in most gorgeous decking" (NA, pp.