Chapter 1 Civilization“The Athenian Farmer”

Athens

Cholleidai ??

Countryside, Larissa, Greece

Property ClassesComments. . .

Athenian Farmer 5

Political/Historical Context• ca. 635 Cylonian conspiracy• ca. 624 Draco’s legislation• 594/3 Solon’s legislation

– property classes• 561-514 Peisistratean tyranny• 508/7 Protodemocracy

13-sep-10

Athenian Farmer 6

Property Classes

Elite• pentakosiomedimnoi

– 500 + medimnoi of grain per annum medimnos = ca. 1½ bushels

• hippeis– cavalry, “knights”– 300-400 medimnoi of grain

Mid to Lower• zeugitai

– “ox-team men”– 200-299 medimnoi of grain

• thetes (sing. thes)– no property, laborers

13-sep-10

Athenian Farmer 7

Comments• Class and…

– economics– politics– military– judiciary– social status– resonances

satisfying / troubling urbanity / rusticity

• Who are farmers?– interesting: farmers divided 

into classes– considered as third class,  zeugitai

13-sep-10