Athenian Democracy

Changes during the 5th Century BC

Changes during the 5th Century BC

StagesStages

Solon c.600 - 561 BC Tyranny of the Pisistradid Clan 561-510 BC

Cleisthenes’ reforms 510-462 BC

Radical democracy of Pericles 462-431 BC

Solon c.600 - 561 BC Tyranny of the Pisistradid Clan 561-510 BC

Cleisthenes’ reforms 510-462 BC

Radical democracy of Pericles 462-431 BC

Solon c. 600 - 561 BCSolon c. 600 - 561 BC

Debt bondage and loss of holdings to creditors led to political unrest.

The rich non-aristocrats wanted power. Solon was elected archon in 594 to

reform the laws.

Debt bondage and loss of holdings to creditors led to political unrest.

The rich non-aristocrats wanted power. Solon was elected archon in 594 to

reform the laws.

Pisitratid TyrannyPisitratid Tyranny

Benevolent despots took contol after compromise of Solon failed.

Benevolent despots took contol after compromise of Solon failed.

Cleisthenes’ ReformsCleisthenes’ Reforms

Factional struggle between Isagoras and Cleisthenes following the end of the tyranny.

Cleisthenes allied himself with the people by promising them citizenship.

Cleisthenes reformed social organization and put an end to the aristocratic rule.

Factional struggle between Isagoras and Cleisthenes following the end of the tyranny.

Cleisthenes allied himself with the people by promising them citizenship.

Cleisthenes reformed social organization and put an end to the aristocratic rule.

Cleisthenes’ ReformsCleisthenes’ Reforms

Cleisthenes’ created 10 new tribal divisions to replace the previous four

Citizens were redistributed based upon where they lived and not upon family connections or wealth

This change broke up the power base of the old aristocratic families

But his reforms did not break up the old social classes and elgibility rules for high office such as the archonship or Areopagus

Cleisthenes’ created 10 new tribal divisions to replace the previous four

Citizens were redistributed based upon where they lived and not upon family connections or wealth

This change broke up the power base of the old aristocratic families

But his reforms did not break up the old social classes and elgibility rules for high office such as the archonship or Areopagus

Periclean DemocracyPericlean Democracy

Period of 508 - 443 BC saw the democratisation of the Athenian government

Pericles' mentor, Ephialtes, put an end to the Areopagus as a political force.

In 443 BC Pericles was elected general and re-elected every year until his death in 429 BC.

He introduced pay for public office (jury duty). Freedom at home and domination abroad.

Period of 508 - 443 BC saw the democratisation of the Athenian government

Pericles' mentor, Ephialtes, put an end to the Areopagus as a political force.

In 443 BC Pericles was elected general and re-elected every year until his death in 429 BC.

He introduced pay for public office (jury duty). Freedom at home and domination abroad.

SectionsSections

Ecclesia - the Assembly Boule - the council of 500 Areopagus Heliaea The Strategoi The archons Other Magistrates

Ecclesia - the Assembly Boule - the council of 500 Areopagus Heliaea The Strategoi The archons Other Magistrates

EccelsiaEccelsia

Assembly Passed legislation Elected magistrates Final court of appeal Empowered strategoi Right to punish officials Court cases where public interest was threatened

Assembly Passed legislation Elected magistrates Final court of appeal Empowered strategoi Right to punish officials Court cases where public interest was threatened

EccelsiaEccelsia

The Pnyx… where the Assembly metThe Pnyx… where the Assembly met

BouleBoule

Council of 500 Preapred bills for presentation to the assembly

Supervised election of strategoi Managed public boards Tried magistartes accused of mismanagement

Heard some criminal trials and cases involving the public interest

Council of 500 Preapred bills for presentation to the assembly

Supervised election of strategoi Managed public boards Tried magistartes accused of mismanagement

Heard some criminal trials and cases involving the public interest

AreopagusAreopagus

Court for homicide cases and arson cases

Could call magistrates to account for failure to perform, illegal and irregular acts

Court for homicide cases and arson cases

Could call magistrates to account for failure to perform, illegal and irregular acts

HeliaeaHeliaea

Juries heard civil cases No lawyers or cross examination allowed

Each plaintiff spoke separately Timed Jurors voted with a special brass ballot

Tried officials who could not give a good account of their work

Heard cases about religious impiety

Juries heard civil cases No lawyers or cross examination allowed

Each plaintiff spoke separately Timed Jurors voted with a special brass ballot

Tried officials who could not give a good account of their work

Heard cases about religious impiety

Ten StrategoiTen Strategoi

Ten generals Commanded naval and military expeditions

Preliminary negotiations with foreign states

Convened the ecclesia Responsible to the ecclesia Could only act unders its instructions

Ten generals Commanded naval and military expeditions

Preliminary negotiations with foreign states

Convened the ecclesia Responsible to the ecclesia Could only act unders its instructions

ArchonsArchons

Administrative role only Polemarch: military archon Eponymous archon: president of the state

Archon basileus: Religion Plus six thesmotheta that worked in the jury courts

Administrative role only Polemarch: military archon Eponymous archon: president of the state

Archon basileus: Religion Plus six thesmotheta that worked in the jury courts

Radcicalisation of the democracy

Radcicalisation of the democracy

Aristogoras allows more people to become archons by allowing the hippeis to join

Members were chosen by lot Power of ecclesia increased The strategos became the key position

Census included all property ownership not just land

Aristogoras allows more people to become archons by allowing the hippeis to join

Members were chosen by lot Power of ecclesia increased The strategos became the key position

Census included all property ownership not just land

Ephialtes Attacks areopagus

Ephialtes Attacks areopagus

Power of areopagus increased during persian wars

Ephialtes, leader of the people 468-67 BC attacked its powers

Tried corrupt members Removed its powers to

Punish magistrates Supervise administrators Observe that laws were obeyed Right to investigate private citizens

Power of areopagus increased during persian wars

Ephialtes, leader of the people 468-67 BC attacked its powers

Tried corrupt members Removed its powers to

Punish magistrates Supervise administrators Observe that laws were obeyed Right to investigate private citizens

Pericles’ reformsPericles’ reforms

Payment of jurors to attend court Chosen by lot (random) Law courts were now democratic All 6000 could be jurors Juries could no longer be dominated by a faction

Members of archonship from top three classes chosen by lot

Middle class now more involved Archons and Boule members paid

Payment of jurors to attend court Chosen by lot (random) Law courts were now democratic All 6000 could be jurors Juries could no longer be dominated by a faction

Members of archonship from top three classes chosen by lot

Middle class now more involved Archons and Boule members paid