Polis Institutions: Athenian Democracy Flashcards
Institutions
Assembly (ekkiesia) - for all citizens
Council (boule) - only for elite
Magistrates (archai) - admin
Courts (dikasteria) - justice
- All Greek Polis had these
- Variation in power, selection, etc.
-Foreigners had no rights, youth, women - passive citizens
Politeia
- Citizens had to meet criteria (polite) - to determine amount of rights
- None functioned in the same way
Classification of “Constitutions”
Basileia, Monarchia, Tyrannia
Power of one ruler (aristokratia/digarchia)
Power in hands of the best, small elite
(demokratia)
Power of demos (the people)
(democracy)
Athenian Democracy
Developed from idea of equality and participation
- Integral to polis culture
- Ancestral constitution
Theseus Myth
Founder of democracy
Reshaped myth to serve their purposes
Popular in the 6-5th C
-Timeline off
Solon
Archon (lord) in 594 BC
Aristotle wrote Solon established origin of democracy
- Laid the groundwork
- Tried to solve social crisis
- Abolished debts (slavery)
General principles of Solon’s reforms
- State is run by all citizens
- Law guides actions
- Strong notion of citizenship
Kleisthenes
508 BC
-Introduced revolutionary reforms to constitution, he was murdered
10 territorial tribes (heroes, cults) - each had regiment of hoplites
30 districts (of each tribe)
139 Demoi
New calendar based on solar year
Ostracism (people could be exiled for 10 years)
More people granted citizenship
Reforms of Kleisthenes
Council of the 500:
- 50 men from each tribe chosen annually by lot to represent citizen body
- Each tribe serves as chairman
- Had to deal with all aspects of state
- Chair and secretary of council change every day
Isonomia
Reforms of Kleisthenes based on this
- Equality for all citizens
- Aimed at direct participation
- Rationality
Democracy to the Greeks
Meant power and strength of the people
- No limitation
- in principle, should be no restrictions
- Meant rule of the poor/non-elite
- Negative connotation
- Wanted pro-elite to rule
ex. voices against democracy
Plato
Against democracy - Republic
- Wise should be in power, democracy lets unknowledgable have a word
- Cannot be taught
- Should only listen to specialists
Perikles
Supports democracy
- Everyone equal before the wall
- No restrictions on climbing political ladder
- Able to judge all events
Democracy Ancient vs. Modern
- Would not call our system democracy
- Having a rep make decisions for you isn’t being involved in decision making
Ancient demo:
- took first hand approach
- Went to assembly and put new ideas to direct vote
- Better orators = leaders - still voted against
