Athenian Democracy: Structure, Institutions, and Function
Athenian Democracy: An Overview
Athenian democracy was a form of direct democracy where executive power resided in the assembly of all citizens (ekklesia). A council of 500 members, the boule, renewed each year, was responsible for preparing the issues to be submitted for discussion and voting. All state organs were considered subordinate to the assembly.
The Council of 500 (Boule)
The boule was formed by 500 counselors, citizens from all walks of life over 30 years old. The venue was the bouleuterion in the Agora. The 500 members had the capacity to prepare, but not resolve, political matters. They prepared the agenda for the assembly during the year (360 days). The assembly could not discuss anything not on the agenda provided by the council. The boule was in charge of convening the assembly, preparing the agenda, and implementing the assembly’s agreements. It also judged the suitability of candidates for public office. The council divided its work into 10 periods or prytanies because it could not work daily with all members.
The Assembly (Ekklesia)
The ekklesia (assembly) was the main political institution, holding legislative, judicial, and executive power. Meetings were held on the Pnyx hill, which could accommodate up to 20,000 attendees. All citizens had the right and duty to attend, but a quorum of 6,000 people out of 40,000 was sufficient for voting. Four meetings were held in each prytany. The assembly, which could last all day, began at sunrise with a sacrifice to the gods. The assembly voted on whether to approve a project or open it for discussion. Freedom of expression was absolute and sacred. Once the discussion was finished, proposals were voted on by a show of hands, although sometimes voting was secret.
Magistrates and Public Officials
Magistrates were required to implement decisions. Most positions were annual, and each function was exercised by a board of judges. The designation was made by lot. Once appointed, the judges were evaluated by the council, which was like a test for admitting or not the staff. If admitted, they swore to submit to the laws and not take bribes and ultimately had to give accounts of their management. The most senior magistrates were the archonship and generalship. Of the 10 Archons, the most important was the eponym, who presided over political life. Another, the basileus, was a religious authority and was responsible for public safety and war-related processes. There were also six thesmothetai and a secretary. The generals were the strategists. These were 10 citizens elected by vote as army generals or commanders. The 10 strategists formed a college.
The People’s Court (Heliaia) and the Areopagus
The Heliaia was the people’s court, composed of 6,000 citizens, of which 1,000 were alternates, all over 30 years old. The selection was made among all citizens older than 30 years whose rights were not restricted. It judged both trivial and serious cases. Small disks with holes were used for voting for freedom and conviction. Upon conviction, the defendant received a portion of the convicted’s property. The Areopagus was a court composed of former Archons and had its headquarters on the hill of Ares. In the classical era, it judged only cases of intentional homicide and monitored the sacred olive trees of Athena. The 11 members (not the Areopagus) were officers responsible for arresting and prosecuting the guilty.