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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?