Citizenship in Ancient Greece and Rome: Rights and Politics
Understanding Citizenship in the Greco-Roman World
Citizenship encompassed two fundamental aspects:
- Membership in a political community established permanently within a territory.
- The enjoyment of rights protected by the city or state. These rights included the ability to participate, directly or indirectly, in the governance of one’s political community.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the term “citizen” originates from the Latin word civis (related to civitas, meaning “city”).
Under Roman law, civis was reserved for community members who met specific criteria, such as being male, free (not a slave), of legal age, and born to a Roman father. The rest of the population—women, slaves, and foreigners—were not considered citizens and possessed fewer rights.
In classical Greece, the term polites referred to a Greek citizen. While similar requirements existed as in Rome, Greek citizens could attain significant influence in the political life of the polis through democracy, which literally means “rule by the demos (people)”.
Citizenship in Greek Democracy: A Political Tradition
Ancient Greece was organized into city-states known as poleis. Greek citizens (politai) were expected to actively participate in politics and governance. Regardless of their economic status, citizens were to attend the assembly and engage in public debates. Most political positions were assigned by lot and held for a year.
These meetings occurred approximately forty times a year in the agora, a public space designed to accommodate citizens. Being a citizen meant addressing public issues through deliberation. People presented their opinions, arguments, and reasons to collectively reach an agreement, culminating in a vote.
Understanding Citizenship in the Greco-Roman World
Citizenship encompassed two fundamental aspects:
- Membership in a political community established permanently within a territory.
- The enjoyment of rights protected by the city or state. These rights included the ability to participate, directly or indirectly, in the governance of one’s political community.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the term “citizen” originates from the Latin word civis (related to civitas, meaning “city”).
Under Roman law, civis was reserved for community members who met specific criteria, such as being male, free (not a slave), of legal age, and born to a Roman father. The rest of the population—women, slaves, and foreigners—were not considered citizens and possessed fewer rights.
In classical Greece, the term polites referred to a Greek citizen. While similar requirements existed as in Rome, Greek citizens could attain significant influence in the political life of the polis through democracy, which literally means “rule by the demos (people)”.
Citizenship in Greek Democracy: A Political Tradition
Ancient Greece was organized into city-states known as poleis. Greek citizens (politai) were expected to actively participate in politics and governance. Regardless of their economic status, citizens were to attend the assembly and engage in public debates. Most political positions were assigned by lot and held for a year.
These meetings occurred approximately forty times a year in the agora, a public space designed to accommodate citizens. Being a citizen meant addressing public issues through deliberation. People presented their opinions, arguments, and reasons to collectively reach an agreement, culminating in a vote.