Download Introduction to Athenian Democracy

Introduction to Athenian
Democracy
Based upon John A. Rothchild’s
packet
• Geography and Demographics
Attica in relation to other regions by
language dialect
Aeolic
Doric
Attic
Ionic
Alcaeus of Mytilene
ού λίθοι ούδέ ξύλα ούδέ τέχνη τεκτόνων αί πόλεις,
άλλ' `όπου ποτ' άν ώςιν άνδρες
αύτούς σώζειν είδότες,
ενταύθα καί τείχη καί πόλεις
neither stones nor wood nor the art of masons a city is,
but especially in human form
is preserved its substance,
In this, not in walls, not in cities
Time Period and Cultural Context
• because of democracy Athens invented
– Western Philosophy, why?
– History, why?
– Drama, why?
– rhetoric
What are autocratic forms of art?
Proto-Democracy: Homer
• War Councils
– Private and public
– Themis of giving up, input of the kings
– Talking scepter
• Rhetoric
– Ring speech
– Embassy to Achilles
• Classical Rhetoric
– Logos, pathos, ethos
• Straight from the heart
• Shield of Achilles
– Best judge gets the award
Proto-Democracy: Hesiod
Kalliope. The last is the foremost of them all,
for she accompanies and attends revered barons
Whomever the daughters of mighty Zeus honor and
see being born from barons nurtured by Zeus,
upon his tongue they pour dew sweeter than honey and
from his mouth flow soothing words. All the people
look to him as he decides between opposing claims
with straight judgments. He addresses them without erring
and quickly and knowingly ends a great quarrel.
For this reason, barons are wise, because for people
injuring one another in assembly, they end actions that call
for vengeance easily, appeasing the parties with soft words.
As he walks in the marketplace, they glorify him as if a god
with soothing deference, and he stands out in the gathering.
Such is the sacred bounty of the Muses to men.
(Theogony, 75-93)
Shield of Achilles, Iliad Bk 18
Then the people gathered
in the assembly, for a dispute had taken place.
Two men were arguing about blood-money owed
for a murdered man. One claimed he’d paid in full,
setting out his case before the people, but the other
[500]
was refusing any compensation. Both were keen
to receive the judgment from an arbitration.
620
The crowd there cheered them on, some supporting one,
some the other, while heralds kept the throng controlled.
Meanwhile, elders were sitting there on polished stones
in the sacred circle, holding in their hands
the staffs they’d taken from the clear-voiced heralds.
With those they’d stand up there and render judgment,
each in his turn. In the centre lay two golden talents,
to be awarded to the one among them all
who would deliver the most righteous verdict.
Just Enough History
• Persian Wars
– 490: Marathon
– 480: Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea
• Delian League
• Peloponnesian War 431-404
• Macedonian Aggression and Conquest 350-338
• Questions?
• See maps
Persian Empire
Peloponnesian War
Alexander’s Empire
Constitutional History: overview
pages 9-12
• Monarchy: legends
–
–
–
–
Erectheus
Cecrops
Aegeus
Theseus
• Oligarchy, and 9 Archons
• Tyrants
– Solon: constitutional and economic reforms
– Peisistratus: public works (public good)
– Clesithenes: constitutional reforms: 10 tribes, name changes
• Democracy
– Ephialtes: aristocratic Areopagus “guardians of the laws”
made into criminal court
– Pericles: introduced pay for public service
– Cleon: a “slave” to the commons
Solon, p 9
• Athens gave Solon autocratic powers in
response to the trend in tyrants taking over
Greek poleis
• Solon made economic and political reforms
• Solon left the city for 10 years after his
reforms
Solon’s Economic Reforms, p 9
• Changed debt law to enable more citizens to
own land
• Imposed limits on debt and on collateral
• Made 4 classes of citizens based on medimnoi
– Pentakosio-medimnoi, 500, strategoi
– Hippeis, 300, knights (cavalry)
– Zeugitai, 200, hoplites
– Thetes, <200, slings, rowers
Solon Economic reforms
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Fathers had to find trades for sons
Metics could become citizens
Olives promoted; other produce not exported
Weights and measures standardized
Pre Cleisthenes Tripartition
Cleisthenes Demes, p 11
Demos means village, common people, or population, as in of a district
Deme means a district or territory inhabited by a tribe
Deme is the smallest administrative unit of Athenian state
also meant body of citizens collectively
The Eponymous Ten Tribes of Athens
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•
•
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Erechtheis (Ἐρεχθηΐς) named after Erechtheus
Aigeis (Αἰγηΐς) named after Aegeus
Pandionis (Πανδιονίς) named after Pandion
Leontis (Λεοντίς) named after Leos, son of Orpheus
Acamantis (Ἀκαμαντίς) named after Acamas
Oineis (Οἰνηΐς) named after Oeneus
Kekropis (Κεκροπίς) named after Cécrops
Hippothontis (Ἱπποθοντίς) named after Hippothoon
Aiantis (Αἰαντίς) named after Ajax
Antiochis (Ἀντιοχίς) named after Antiochus, son of
Heracles
Constitutional History: overview
pages 9-12
• Monarchy: legends
–
–
–
–
Erectheus
Cecrops
Aegeus
Theseus
• Oligarchy, and 9 Archons
• Tyrants
– Solon: constitutional and economic reforms
– Peisistratus: public works (public good)
– Clesithenes: constitutional reforms: 10 tribes, name changes
• Democracy
– Ephialtes: aristocratic Areopagus “guardians of the laws”
made into criminal court
– Pericles: introduced pay for public service
– Cleon: a “slave” to the commons
Structure of Athenian Government
A
B
C
D
E
F
Citizenship
Council of 500
Ecclesia (The Assembly) 6000 for quorum
Jury Courts
The Areopagus
Magistrates
Council of 500: Tholos
Assembly: Pnyx
Jury Courts:
Kleroterion machine
Klepsydra
Voting tokens
Elected Officials in Athens
• Strategoi, generals
• Military treasurer
• Commissioners of the Theoric Fund, oversaw
money for festivals, sacrifices, processions,
etc.
• Superintendent of the Springs
Athens and Pireas
Current regions
Naxos