Athens Builds a Limited Democracy

Warring City States part 4

Athens Builds a Limited Democracy

• Athens, another city-state, developed in a very different way.

                                                                        

• The sons of Codrus were named archons, or rulers for life,—an office which was at first handed down from father to son, but which soon became elective; that is to say, all the people voted for and elected their own rulers. Then nine archons were chosen at once, but they kept their office for only one year.

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• As these men received no pay for serving the state, only the richest citizens could accept the office; and thus Athens, from a monarchy, or country ruled by a king, became an aristocracy, or state ruled by the rich and noble citizens.

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• As the rich (aristoi), thus held the reins of the government, they often used their power to oppress the poor (demos), and this gave rise to many quarrels. Little by little the two parties, the rich and the poor, grew to hate each other so much that it was decided that a new code or set of laws should be made, and that they should be obeyed by all alike.

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http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=guerber&book=greeks&story=_contents

In return, they demanded a written code of laws. An archon called Draco was chosen to draw up the first legal code, dealing mainly with contracts and property ownership (621 B.C.);

• and he made them so strict and cruel that the least sin was punished as if it had been a crime, and a man was sentenced to be hanged for stealing even a cabbage.

• Draco’s code included such unfair practices as debt slavery, in which small farmers worked as slaves to repay their debts. As a result, conflicts between the aristocrats and the poor continued.

• When the Athenians heard these new laws, they were frightened. Such severity had never been known before; and one and all said that the laws had been written in blood instead of ink.

To prevent civil war, in 594 B.C. the aristocrats chose a trusted statesman named Solon (SO•luhn) to head the government.

Athenians gave him full power to reform the law. Solon made some very wise laws.

One of these forbade rich men to sell poor men into slavery because they could not pay their debts. He allowed all citizens to participate and debate policies in the Athenian assembly.

In another political move, Solon introduced the legal concept that any citizen could bring charges against wrongdoers.

In addition, his economic reforms benefited many. For example, by encouraging the export of grapes and olives, Solon initiated a profitable overseas trade and demand for these products.

Although Solon initiated political and economic changes, he neglected land reforms. At the end of his rule, fighting erupted between wealthy landowners and the poor farmers.

The conflict between the rich and the poor did not end,. More changes were needed.

Reformers in Athens tried to build a democracy, or government by the people. Not everyone was involved in making political decisions, though.

Around 546 B.C., a nobleman and military leader named Pisistratus (py•SIS•truh•tuhs) seized power and became one of Athens’ first tyrants. He provided funds to help peasants buy farm equipment at the expense of the nobles. In return he wanted Absolute Power.

A tyranny is a government in which absolute power belongs to one person.

He financed this reform by a tax on agricultural production. Pisistratus also launched a massive building program that gave jobs to the poor and earned him their support.

Beginning in 508 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes (KLYS•thuh•NEEZ) introduced further reforms.

He worked to make Athens a full democracy, (a government of the citizens) by reorganizing the assembly to break up the power of the nobility. He also increased the power of the assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debate and passage.

Cleisthenes then created the Council of Five Hundred. This body proposed laws and counseled the assembly. Council members were chosen by lot, or at random.

While these reforms allowed Athenian citizens to participate in a limited democracy, only one-fifth of Athenian residents were actual citizens. (free adult males) had political rights and the responsibility of civic participation in government.

Women and foreigners had no political rights.

Slaves had no political rights.

• Phalaris was the tyrant of Acragas (Agrigentum) in Sicily, 570 to 554 BC.