Greek tyrants often had the support of merchants and the poor because the existing oligarchies were controlled by traditional noble elites who held power based on their aristocratic heritage. Merchants and the urban poor were excluded from the political elite, and they found that tyrants were willing to challenge the noble oligarchies. Tyrants often supported changes that empowered the mercantile and lower social classes, such as the creation of new colonies and the construction of public works. Merchants and the urban poor could benefit directly from the wealth generated by these initiatives. Additionally, tyrants were also known for curtailing the power of the aristocracy and limiting their privileges, which could benefit ordinary citizens and merchants who were not part of the noble class.