Democracy in 5th Century Athens

7/30/2019 Democracy in 5th Century Athens

1/4

Page 1 of 4Document1

CylonWhat Happened

Noble (Eupatrid) in 732 who tried to take powersupported by father in law TheagenesWas an Olympic victor

Attempted a coup, thwarted by the AlcmeonidsMegacles was the archon who stopped himCommitted sacrilege by killing in a templeincludes megaransFamily banished from Attica

Primary SourcesAristotle The Athenian constitution

Flawed as we are missing the startThucydides The history of the Peloponnesian war Book 1The people came out the fields and besieged itThe Athenians banished those that were under the curse

Secondary Sourceselite family feuding J.B. BuryA history of Greece to the death of Alexander

Impact on democracyShow the conflict between rich and poor (kaloi kagathoi and the Hoi Polloi),Inter Rich competition inside Athens and from outsideOligarchic strifeuse of religion for political gainPopulation strongly tribal and divided between key familiesUnstable politicsoppression of the poor

Between Cylon and DracoAthens was at war with Megara = worse for the poorPoor = slaves of the rich

Loans = secured against people and their familiesPoor work rich peoples landsfail to pay rent = enslavement = Pelataeno part nor share in anything AristotleMurder = inter family blood feuds

DracoWhat Happened

Noble who made Athenian lawsequality before the lawtry to prevent coups

First time laws were codifiedwritten downIncreadibly harshdeath penalty for minor offenseHarsher on Poor as they are more likely to be forced to commit crimes

Primary SourcesIt prevents minor crimes and for major ones it was the most serious punishment I could think ofDraco

Secondary SourcesRhetoric and the law of Draco Edwin Carawantalks about homicide lawsDrakon and Early Athenian History Michael Garaginevolution of homicide laws

Impact on democracyShow the conflict between rich and poorRich an Rich competitionShows attempts at fair lawsIndependent judiciary introducedhelped poor as it reduced wealthy domination


2/4


SolonWhat Happened

After Draco things getting worse for the poorLegal inequality and greater tension between rich and poor

Made several political and social reforms to improve equality in Athens; see belowPrimary SourcesAristotle The Athenian constitutionEverywhere he lay the blame for the strife on the richSolon liberated the peoplePlutarchLife of Solon

Describes his social reforms

Secondary SourcesAthenian Politics C800-500BC: A SourcebookG. R. Stanton

Highly aristocratic outlook

Impact on democracyAthens now a Limited DemocracyLarge EnfranchisementBasic rights + integration of peopleRich families still dominate

Social reformsAbolished debt bondagestopped slavery from debtBanned loans being secured against peopleDid not stop slaveryLimited property ownershipDivision of people into Wealth classes:Pentacosiomedimnio500 bushel menrichest people

Hippeis300 bushel menKnightsowned warhorseZeugati200 bushel mentillersowned 2 beastsTheteseveryone elseChanges who is allowed in what legal chamberAreopagushighest law courtcontains PentacosiomedimnoiBouleCouncil of 400contains Pentacosiomedimnoi and HippeisEcclesiaAssemblyeveryone can talk and have a say

Political reforms

Scraps some of Draco lawsstill keeps punishment for HomicideArchons are made to upheld lawsElected by lot from 40 candidates picked by tribes

After completing term in office can enter the AreopagusAllows Thetes to enter Ecclessia

Gives them say overAppointment of ArchonsAccountability of ArchonsForming the Judiciary

Possible limitation

Several of solons friends took out large loans just before the reforms which got wiped out


3/4


PeisistradidsWhat Happened

Pisistratus takes power in Athens after 3 attemptsDemonstrates importance of appeasing the masses to gaining power

Primary SourcesAristotle The Athenian ConstitutionThucydidesHistory of the Peloponnesian warBook 1

Secondary Sources

Impact on democracyShows importance of the people to the rulers

CleisthenesWhat Happened

Athens in disarray in 612BC after PesistradidsCleisthene told to enact reforms to improve situation

Primary SourcesAristotle The Athenian Constitutionthe reason why he did not arrange the people into 12 tribes was to avoid using the existing trittiesThucydidesHistory of the Peloponnesian warBook 1

Secondary SourcesN. G. L. Hammond,A History of Greece to 322 B.C

Impact on democracyBroke down the power of the elitePrevented officials abusing power

Ensure accountablilty for any citizenFavoured his own tribe with regards to influenceAreopagus dominated by eliteOstracism exploited

Tribal reformsBefore Cleisthenes there were 4 tribes

Strong tribal allegiance, allowed some tribes to dominateGave richer families greaterinfluence and controlBroke the tribes into 10 different tribes (Phylai)Tribes made up ofCountry, coastal and city trittiesBreaks up Athens, reduces elite domination + breaks up the power bases

Each tribe sends 50 men to the Boulebreaks down old party system

Political reformsAll the chief magistrates were elected from the BouleMost by Lot but ones with important military roles were elected on basis of meritControl ofOfficalsDokimasiainterviewEisangeliaImpreachmentEuthunaaccount of actionsOstracismexiled on popular vote


4/4


Social reformsCreates tribal Demessmallest political unitOwn mini governmentMen must serve on these before being allowed to serve in Boule

The BouleIncreased in number to 500Members elected annuallystill limited to Hippeis and aboveEach tribe lead for a monthPrytannyPrytanny leader changed daily

Try to prevent attemptive coups

The Ecclesia

Most significant reform was accidental

Ratified his reforms by going to the ecclesia set a legal precidentGives Ecclesia supreme legislative power

Isonomia all have equal political status

Documents

Democracy in 5th Century Athens