Midterm 1 Flashcards
(53 cards)
Isonomia
What the Athenian called their form of government. Literally translates to “equal law”
Polis
Greek city-state
Polites (Po-Lee-Tays)
A citizen. Literally “One who does the city”
Oligarchy
Rule by the few. Oligos meaning few and Arche meaning rule
Ekklesia
Literally translates to “calling out”. The citizens assembly where all citizens could voice their concerns and vote on matters regarding the city-state.
Tyrannos (plural is Tyrannoi)
Someone who comes to power not through legal channels. In early Athens, a tyrannos would side with the common people, giving them more power than they would typically see under an oligarchy.
Demos
The people
Who was Cleisthenes?
Cleisthenes was one of the first publicly elected officials who proposed the first isonomia constitution of Athens. AKA Athens’s first democratic constitution made in 508/507 BC
What is the Boule?
The council. They are elected by the ekklesia and manage all administrative work. They draft the laws and the ekklesia votes them in. Someone can only be on the boule twice in their entire life.
There were 500 members of the Boule. 50 from each tribe.
What is Attike?
The territory surround Athens that also belonged to Athens. Anyone who lived in Attike and was a citizen, was considered a citizen of Athens and a member of the polis.
When did citizenship laws come into place?
Citizenship laws were originally enacted in 451 BC but were reenacted in 403 BC.
Who was considered a citizen in Athens?
- A Male
- Over 18 years old
- 2 Athenian citizen parents
- A Free-person
Who was not considered Athenian citizens?
- Women
- Children
- Children of parents who were not both Athenian citizens
What year was the first Athenian constitution drafted?
508/7 BC
What is a Phyle and Deme?
A Phyle is a tribe. Attike was split into 10 of them. They were originally based on blood relation but changed to geographical location.
Demes were small villages and settlements within a tribe
What is a dokimasia?
A scrutiny. You are presented to the deme on your 18th birthday to be registered as a citizen. If they don’t believe you are 18, you are sent away and not registered.
If they believe you, your name is registered and sent to the boule which then approves it, making you an official citizen.
What is the dikasteria and dikastes?
The dikasteria is the courts and dikastes are the jurors. To be a jury member you had to be a citizen man and over 30 years. A juror only served for one year.
What is a Prytany?
The group that was in charge of the Boule for a month. Each Athenian year only had 10 months. 10 months, 10 tribes, each tribe took control of the Boule for a month.
What are Strategoi
Generals. One of the few positions in Athens elected by the people and not chosen by lot.
What is an Arkhon?
A position selected by lot. Someone in charge of specific aspects of the city. There were 9 arkhons total.
What did the Chief Arkhon do?
Oversaw matters that pertained to the household and looked after orphans, specifically epikleros (orphan girls that inherited estate)
What did the King Arkhon (Arkhon Basileus) do?
Looked over religious matters and homicide courts. In homicide preceedings, he would hold 3 pretirals (one a month) and on the 4th month would deliver his final verdict.
What did the Polemarch do?
Looked after foreigner affairs, specifically oversaw courts relating to Metics
What did the 6 thesmothetai do?
They oversaw all other aspects of the law that did not fall directly under the jurisdiction of the other 3 Arkhons.