Transcript Athenian Democracy Questions

Athenian Democracy Definitions
Archons
• Office-holders, 9 men and a secretary chosen
annually by the ekklesia. Eupatridae preSolon, Pentacosiomedimni Solon and top two
social classes Kleisthenes, one of the 10 gave
his name to the yeaar
Areopagus
• The hill of Ares. A council made of ex-archons
which met there.
• Ultimate authority law wise until Solon.
• Would supervise the archons pre-Solon but
didn't have this role after him.
Basileus Archon
• Religious archon, took care of religious law
and cases of homicide.
Boule
• A council, made of originally 400 members
(100 from each of the 4 tribes) until
Kleisthenes, where it turned to 500 members
(50 from each of the 10 tribes).
• Chosen by lot, unpaid office, prepared
measures before they were put to the
ekklesia.
Deme
• Local communities in Athens. Replaced kinship
units and became Kleisthenes' basic reform.
• Maintained register of citizens over 18 years
old. Not geographically or birth based.
Demiourgoi
• Craftsmen class pre-Solon. Could vote but not
hold archonship. Could become very wealthy.
Ecclesia
• Assembly of male citizens summoned as of
right.
• Meetings usually summoned by the boule,
held on the pynx.
• Each citizen could vote and speak, show of
hands.
Eponymous Archon
• Head archon, gave his name to the year.
Eupatridae
• Nobles, top class pre-Solon and very much the
minority.
• Owned all the land and held all the political
power.
Georgoi
• Small land farmers who found themselves in
debt to larger land owners (eupatridae).
• Pre-Solon only.
Hippeis
• Solon's second census class. 300 measures of
corn.
• Could afford to provide their own horse and
armour.
• Could hold public offices except that of
archon.
Pentacosionmedimni
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Solon's top census class.
500 measures of corn.
Had to supply the cost of liturgies.
Could hold position of archon and other
offices.
Phylae
• The tribes. 4 blood based ones before
Kleisthenes, 10 random ones after.
Polemarch
• One of the archons appointed annually.
• Originally military leader until 5th Century
BCE.
Prytaneis
• Kleisthenes' time, each group of 50 from each
tribe would act as president for 1/10th of the
year.
• Had to organise ekklesia and boule meetings.
• Each day one of the prytaneis was chosen to
be chairman and to hold the key of Athens per
lot.
Seisactheia
• "Shaking off of burdens," was the first act of
Solon's reforms, cancelling debts and
preventing debts ensured by personal
freedom.
Thetes
• Lowest class of people.
• Pre-Solon hired help.
• After Solon lowest class, anything less than
200 measures of corn.
• Could attend ekklesia and became jurors in
helaea.
Zeugites
• Pre-Solon, citizens of moderate means
(farmers).
• Solon's third census class of 200 measures of
corn.
• Kleisthenes could be archons.
Timocracy
• Social class system based on wealth opposed
to being based on birth
Oligarchy
• Ruling by the powerful few (aristocrats).
Eumonia
• Solon's aim, a reign of good order for all, not
just one particular class.
Hektemoroi
• Indentured Serfs who gave 1/6th of their crop
to who they were indebted to.
• Solon eradicated this class.
Heliaea
• The Ekklesia when in judicial function to act as
a court.
• Checked on powers of the Council of the
Areopagus for appeals.
Men of the Plain
• Lead by Lycurgus, wealthy farmers. Wanted
oligarchy.
Men of the Coast
• Lead by Megacles, middle classes. Didn't like
power of the archons.
Men of the Hill
• Lead by Peisistratus, poor farmers and urban
dwellers. Wanted land and jobs.
• 594 BCE
• Year of Solon.
• 546 BCE
• Peisistratus takes power.
• 508 BCE
• Kleisthenes becomes leader of Athens.
Oikos
• Family group, immediate family and smallest
tribe unit pre-Kleisthenes.
Genos
• Extended family, claimed decent from
common ancestor.
Ostracism
• The process of temporarily exiling a person in
Athens to decapitate powerful factions and to
prevent tyranny.
• A quorum was needed to be reached for the
ostracism to occur. Names were written on
ostarkon.