Download Democracy in Athens and the Roman Republic

Classical Foundations and
Colonial Education
William S. Morison
Associate Professor, History Department
Grand Valley State University
Democracy in Athens and
the Roman Republic
Ideals
Institutions
Thucydides, Aristotle, and Polybius
Washington and Zeus
Washington
and
Cincinnatus
Democracy in Athens
The Demos
Discussion of Sources
Athenian Political Institutions
The Demos
 Demos= citizens
(male, free born,
property owners,
military service)
 Demokrateia=
“citizen power”
 citizenship provides
equal treatment under
the law
 Participation in
government
Thucydides:
Ideals of the Demos
Athenian general and historian
Context: Pericles, “Funeral Oration”
What are the specific things that
Pericles praises Athens for?
Why does he believe that these
things make Athens great?
Aristotle (384-322 BC):
Democratic Practice
Philosopher, biologist, political scientist
Identify the political institutions of the
demokrateia as outlined by Aristotle.
The Assembly (Ekklesia)
 Met at the Pnyx
 Est. quorum of 6000
citizens
 Sovereign authority:
 Passes laws, may act
as judge, approve
treaties, declare war
 The state provides a
stipend for attendance
Council of 500 (Boulê)
Steering
committee:
Set agenda for
the Assembly
Chosen by annual
lottery, paid
Oversaw day-today government,
boards, courts,
magistrates
The Jury system
Membership from
a pool of 6000
chosen by lot
annually
Numbers varied
(201—2001)
Paid for
attendance
Kleroterion
Magistrates
9 chief magistrates (chosen by lot,
limited powers); e.g., eponymous
archon, archon basileus
10 Generals (elected; influential
off the battlefield)
Committees, boards, etc.
Dokimasia
Euthynai
How do we pay for this?
The ‘Liturgical’ Class
Required to pay for
expensive public
services
Examples: man and
fit out a naval ship,
pay for a chorus for
a tragic play, etc.
Ideals vs. Practice
Do these Athenian
institutions/practices support the
ideals outlined by Thucydides?
How might they fail?
How are different social/economic
groups affected?
Food for thought:
What was the attitude of the Founding
Fathers regarding Athenian democracy as
a model for government? Why?
The Roman Republic
Sources
Ideals and Institutions
Polybius (204-122 BC)
Greek historian trying to explain
Rome’s success to other Greeks:
What were the basic elements of
the Roman Republic?
According to Polybius, what made
this system effective?
The Roman Res publica
 SPQR = Senatus populusque Romanus
System of managed competition (patricians)
 Citizen interest groups:
Based by law on property qualifications
Wealthy, landed elite (Senatorial class)
Merchants, landowners (Equestrian class)
Farmers, artisans (The populus)
Republican Magistrates:
Consuls and Praetors (S)
Imperium, summon comitia, wear
purple
Lictors, curule chair
Aediles (S)
Quaestors (S)
Special offices: dictator, censor (S)
Symbols of power
The Senate
 Wealthy, landed
elite
 Former
magistrates
 Life tenure
 Approves
candidates for
election
 Auctoritas
patrum
Assemblies
Comitia Curiata
Comitia Centuriata
193 centuries, 98 controlled by
wealthiest classes
Comitia Tributa
35 tribes, but only 4 are urban
All assemblies are called by
magistrates; yes or no vote
Plebeian Assembly
Ten annually elected Tribunes
Veto power
Plebeians only
Laws passed affect all Romans
Patrons and Clients
Patrons = men of higher status
Provide monetary, legal, political assistance
to clients
Clients = men of lower status
Assist patrons in elections or any way they
deem necessary
Bond of amicitia
Quid pro quo
Permanent bond
Questions
How do the values of the Athenian
democracy differ from those of
Rome’s republic?
If an Athenian democrat went to
Rome, what do you think his
criticisms of their republic would
be?