Athenian Democracy
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Transcript of Athenian Democracy
StagesStages
Solon c.600 - 561 BC Tyranny of the Pisistradid Clan 561-510 BC
Cleisthenes’ reforms 510-462 BC
Radical democracy of Pericles 462-431 BC
Solon c.600 - 561 BC Tyranny of the Pisistradid Clan 561-510 BC
Cleisthenes’ reforms 510-462 BC
Radical democracy of Pericles 462-431 BC
Solon c. 600 - 561 BCSolon c. 600 - 561 BC
Debt bondage and loss of holdings to creditors led to political unrest.
The rich non-aristocrats wanted power. Solon was elected archon in 594 to
reform the laws.
Debt bondage and loss of holdings to creditors led to political unrest.
The rich non-aristocrats wanted power. Solon was elected archon in 594 to
reform the laws.
Pisitratid TyrannyPisitratid Tyranny
Benevolent despots took contol after compromise of Solon failed.
Benevolent despots took contol after compromise of Solon failed.
Cleisthenes’ ReformsCleisthenes’ Reforms
Factional struggle between Isagoras and Cleisthenes following the end of the tyranny.
Cleisthenes allied himself with the people by promising them citizenship.
Cleisthenes reformed social organization and put an end to the aristocratic rule.
Factional struggle between Isagoras and Cleisthenes following the end of the tyranny.
Cleisthenes allied himself with the people by promising them citizenship.
Cleisthenes reformed social organization and put an end to the aristocratic rule.
Cleisthenes’ ReformsCleisthenes’ Reforms
Cleisthenes’ created 10 new tribal divisions to replace the previous four
Citizens were redistributed based upon where they lived and not upon family connections or wealth
This change broke up the power base of the old aristocratic families
But his reforms did not break up the old social classes and elgibility rules for high office such as the archonship or Areopagus
Cleisthenes’ created 10 new tribal divisions to replace the previous four
Citizens were redistributed based upon where they lived and not upon family connections or wealth
This change broke up the power base of the old aristocratic families
But his reforms did not break up the old social classes and elgibility rules for high office such as the archonship or Areopagus
Periclean DemocracyPericlean Democracy
Period of 508 - 443 BC saw the democratisation of the Athenian government
Pericles' mentor, Ephialtes, put an end to the Areopagus as a political force.
In 443 BC Pericles was elected general and re-elected every year until his death in 429 BC.
He introduced pay for public office (jury duty). Freedom at home and domination abroad.
Period of 508 - 443 BC saw the democratisation of the Athenian government
Pericles' mentor, Ephialtes, put an end to the Areopagus as a political force.
In 443 BC Pericles was elected general and re-elected every year until his death in 429 BC.
He introduced pay for public office (jury duty). Freedom at home and domination abroad.
SectionsSections
Ecclesia - the Assembly Boule - the council of 500 Areopagus Heliaea The Strategoi The archons Other Magistrates
Ecclesia - the Assembly Boule - the council of 500 Areopagus Heliaea The Strategoi The archons Other Magistrates
EccelsiaEccelsia
Assembly Passed legislation Elected magistrates Final court of appeal Empowered strategoi Right to punish officials Court cases where public interest was threatened
Assembly Passed legislation Elected magistrates Final court of appeal Empowered strategoi Right to punish officials Court cases where public interest was threatened
BouleBoule
Council of 500 Preapred bills for presentation to the assembly
Supervised election of strategoi Managed public boards Tried magistartes accused of mismanagement
Heard some criminal trials and cases involving the public interest
Council of 500 Preapred bills for presentation to the assembly
Supervised election of strategoi Managed public boards Tried magistartes accused of mismanagement
Heard some criminal trials and cases involving the public interest
AreopagusAreopagus
Court for homicide cases and arson cases
Could call magistrates to account for failure to perform, illegal and irregular acts
Court for homicide cases and arson cases
Could call magistrates to account for failure to perform, illegal and irregular acts
HeliaeaHeliaea
Juries heard civil cases No lawyers or cross examination allowed
Each plaintiff spoke separately Timed Jurors voted with a special brass ballot
Tried officials who could not give a good account of their work
Heard cases about religious impiety
Juries heard civil cases No lawyers or cross examination allowed
Each plaintiff spoke separately Timed Jurors voted with a special brass ballot
Tried officials who could not give a good account of their work
Heard cases about religious impiety
Ten StrategoiTen Strategoi
Ten generals Commanded naval and military expeditions
Preliminary negotiations with foreign states
Convened the ecclesia Responsible to the ecclesia Could only act unders its instructions
Ten generals Commanded naval and military expeditions
Preliminary negotiations with foreign states
Convened the ecclesia Responsible to the ecclesia Could only act unders its instructions
ArchonsArchons
Administrative role only Polemarch: military archon Eponymous archon: president of the state
Archon basileus: Religion Plus six thesmotheta that worked in the jury courts
Administrative role only Polemarch: military archon Eponymous archon: president of the state
Archon basileus: Religion Plus six thesmotheta that worked in the jury courts
Radcicalisation of the democracy
Radcicalisation of the democracy
Aristogoras allows more people to become archons by allowing the hippeis to join
Members were chosen by lot Power of ecclesia increased The strategos became the key position
Census included all property ownership not just land
Aristogoras allows more people to become archons by allowing the hippeis to join
Members were chosen by lot Power of ecclesia increased The strategos became the key position
Census included all property ownership not just land
Ephialtes Attacks areopagus
Ephialtes Attacks areopagus
Power of areopagus increased during persian wars
Ephialtes, leader of the people 468-67 BC attacked its powers
Tried corrupt members Removed its powers to
Punish magistrates Supervise administrators Observe that laws were obeyed Right to investigate private citizens
Power of areopagus increased during persian wars
Ephialtes, leader of the people 468-67 BC attacked its powers
Tried corrupt members Removed its powers to
Punish magistrates Supervise administrators Observe that laws were obeyed Right to investigate private citizens
Pericles’ reformsPericles’ reforms
Payment of jurors to attend court Chosen by lot (random) Law courts were now democratic All 6000 could be jurors Juries could no longer be dominated by a faction
Members of archonship from top three classes chosen by lot
Middle class now more involved Archons and Boule members paid
Payment of jurors to attend court Chosen by lot (random) Law courts were now democratic All 6000 could be jurors Juries could no longer be dominated by a faction
Members of archonship from top three classes chosen by lot
Middle class now more involved Archons and Boule members paid