Politics

Question 1

Why did Pericles have to reform the Athenian political system? (3 classes)

Answer 1

• The Merchant class had no power, as they had no land.
• Hoplites (soldiers) also had no power. Large numbers had previously been executed by Draco (predecessor of Pericles)
• Many poor Athenians were heavily in debt as 1/6th of the produce from the land they worked on had to be given to the land owners (they were effectively serfs). If they could’t pay their debts, they would either be sold into slavery themselves or their children would be.

Question 2

Who created the ekklesia (assembly)?

Answer 2

Pericles.

Question 3

What was Pericles’s idea behind founding the ekklesia?

Answer 3

People should be interested in politics and should be involved in matters of the state.

Question 4

How did Pericles finance his political reforms (and Athens in general?)

Answer 4

With money made from the silver mines outside the north of the city.

Question 5

Describe/explain the structure of the Athenian government. [5 marks]

Answer 5

• The region of Attica (where Athens is) was divided into separate demes (townships). These demes were based on 3 geographical locations; city, hills, and coast.
• Every MALE individual from these demes was put into one of the 10 tribes.
• The Boule (council) was made up of 50 citizens from each tribe who served for 1 year. Had to be 30+. Meetings in Agora. Performed administrative duties, such as overseeing finances of state, navy, sacred matters, building + shipping matters, and the care of invalids + orphans.
• The Ekklesia (assembly) was made up of all citizens 20+. The Ekklesia voted to make new laws and was the sovereign body of the state. Voted by a show of hands and met 4 times a month.
• Also had archons (leaders). Origins in pre-democratic period. 9 of them. Responsible for law, acted as judges. Served for 1 year.

Question 6

What opinions do you think Athenians would have on their system of government? What do you think metics would think? [5 marks]

Answer 6

• Fair? First democracy, represented if male + Athenian.
• Unfair, if woman or slave. Only 1/3 of pop. citizens.
• Ineffective- Aristotle (who was Athenian) though monarchy/oligarchy was best form of government.
• Democracy vastly different from other political systems.

Basically any other valid points. Idk, I just made this up…

Question 7

What were the requirements for being an Athenian citizen? [5 marks]

Answer 7

• Athenian mother + father.
• Male.
• 18 +.
• Had to be a free-man.
• Enrolled in deme (tribe).