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Development and nature of Athenian democracy The radical changes to the Athenian constitution by Cleisthenes (565-500BC0 were aimed at breaking the power and influence of the traditional four tribal clans. Previously, the old aristocracy had monopolised the political system in Athens. The objectives of these changes were to give all Athenians a part in the election of local and state officials and were a step towards representative government. However, other changes had to occur before Athens could become a complete democracy. Athenian democracy (democratia) had a number of features, for example: All adult male citizens could propose legislation, debate and vote. All citizens could stand for office. The generals were elected by the citizens There was payment for officials and jurors. Athenian citizens had to fulfil the following requirements: Be male, 16 years old, freeborn Both parents had to be Athenian, married Be registered on the deme roll Be scrutinised by the councillors Spend two years in the army as a cadet before becoming a member of the assembly. During and after the Persian threat, changes were made to the internal government of Athens: In 462BC, Ephialtes pushed through a law that deprived the Areopagus of all of its functions save that of being a court for homicide. The archons became answerable to the Council of 500, not the Areopagus. In 458BC, the archonship became a paid office. In 457BC, the zeugitae or hoplites were admitted to the archonship. Sometime later the thetes were admitted. In 451BC, a payment of jurors was introduced by Pericles. This seems to have been a democratic move to allow poorer citizens and the elderly to participate. These reforms had all been designed to end the aristocratic rule in Athens. nevertheless, Athenian democracy depended on aristocratic leadership. Four of the major institutions were the Assembly (Ecclesia), the Council of 500 (Boule), the Magistrates and the Heliaea, and the law courts. Important officials were the strategoi and archons. The Areopagus had lost a lot of its powers and did not play a significant role in the democracy of the time. Political institutions and officials of Athenian democracy Institution/official Composition/place of Duties/responsibilities meeting The Assembly All citizens – met on the Ultimate power. Met 40 times a year. ecclesia Pnyx at dawn. 6000 citizens Questions of domestic and foreign needed for important business policy put to citizens. Elected magistrates. Issues debated freely. Voting by show of hands except in cases of treason or ostracism, then by ballot The Council of 500 members. Had to be Chosen by lot from the 10 tribes and 500 (Boule) more than 30 years of age and worked on rotation basis, with each only elected twice in a group of 50 serving approximately 36 lifetime. Met everyday except days. Rotation was to impede corruption. holidays at the old Members fed at public expense, housed Bouleterion in the Tholos and paid 1 drachma a day. Prepared business for the Assembly to discuss and vote upon. Executed much of the Assembly’s decisions. Responsible for much of the day-to-day administration of the city and its financial matters. Saw decrees carried out, managed public property and supervised the collection and expenditure of public money and the building of public works. Supervised army, navy, officials and election of the Strategoi. Dikasteries 6000 citizens. Had to be more The usual size of a jury (dikastai) varied than 30 years of age. 600 from 201 to 501. Jury chosen on day of citizens for each tribe. trial. Archon presided over court to Chosen by lot. Met in or near maintain order, not dispense justice. the Agora Defendant spoke in his own defence and each case judged on own merit Archons 9 archons and their secretary Received 4 obals a day while in office. elected annually by lot. Not eligible for re-election but became Office at the Royal Stoa. life members of the Areopagus. Duties as religious officials and magistrates in the courts. Year named after chief archon ‘eponymous’. Presided over Great Dionysia festival. King-archon had jurisdiction over religious cases and conducted mysteries and other festivals. Strategoi Elected annually by all the Supervised the army, navy, cavalry, and people, each tribe voting for conducted foreign policy and called one strategos meetings of the Assembly. By Pericles’ time, most important position in Athens. Not paid. Could be re-elected. Could be fined, exiled, or sentenced to death for not carrying out duties.