The Evolution of Democracy in Ancient Athens
It was founded on the peninsula of Attica.
It is the cradle of democracy.
The citizen in Athens was ready to be useful to the community.
The capital of Attica, Athens, was built around an acropolis, the upper town.
Athens had different forms of government, but is famous for being the birthplace of democracy.
Citizens of Athens
1) Citizens or politai: Men born in the territory, free, and registered in an Athenian demos.
They reached their full citizenship once they finished their military service (20 years).
They were the only ones with political rights and could acquire and own land.
As full citizens, they had responsibilities to the state of various kinds:
- Military: Joined the ranks of heavy infantry or cavalry.
- Political: Participated in the magistracy, voting, or being elected to positions.
- Judicial: Served as members of various courts.
- Social: Contributed to the development of certain ceremonies or public holidays, liturgies, etc.
Non-Citizens
2) Metics: Athens was designated for foreigners settled in the polis. Despite being free, they had no citizenship rights.
They must pay taxes, which made clear the degree of inferiority.
Not Free
3) Slaves: Their origin dates back to the effects of war (they were descendants of the vanquished).
They were the property of those who bought them.
There were private and public slaves.
Public slaves belonged to the state, for which they played different roles.
Written Laws
Ö Kings ruled until the year 1065 BC when the nobles or eupatrids overthrew the monarchy.
Ø This system lasted for 3 centuries until the year 685 BC when the power of the Archons was limited to one year, and nine archons exercised power.
Ø Draco, one of the Archons, drafted a code in 621 BC.
His code was a breakthrough, as the law became known and binding for all.
It was characterized by its severity.
He failed to settle disputes between citizens and Eupatridae.
Solon’s Reforms
Ø Solon in 594 BC solved the problem by sacrificing the privileges of the aristocracy.
He came from the Eupatridae family but was orphaned at a very early age, so other families wanted to take care of him.
He presented a bill to reform the political system, but first put his conditions:
They must be accepted fully and respected by the Areopagus, without question.
Once implemented, these reforms could not be changed for 10 years.
The Athenian state should fund a trip for Solon by the major kingdoms of the time for those 10 years.
Reforms of Solon
They established social equality:
Ø All had the same social rights and had access to any public office.
Ø Limited the amount of land one person could own.
Ø Athenians were divided into 4 classes according to their wealth.
Every citizen could be part of the Assembly, transitioning from an aristocratic to a democratic government.
Ø Important government positions were held by the richest. This is called a plutocracy.
Institutions
Public officials were elected annually, and the most important were:
- Archonship: 9 members appointed annually by the people among first-class citizens. They promulgated decrees and exercised executive power.
- Mars Hill: A court of justice to resolve problems of moral education and religion. Ruled against bad judges, wickedness, and murder.
- Council of Elders (Boule): Had 400 members, then 500, elected annually by the assembly of the people, preparing the laws then submitted to the Assembly for approval.
- Assembly of the People: Consisted of citizens of all 4 classes with 20 years and recognized morality.
Discussed and voted for laws that would govern the state. Exercised legislative power, decided by a majority on peace or war in the city, and judged the generals after their military campaigns.
The Tyranny of Pisistratus
Pisistratus: Cousin of Solon, born into a family of Eupatridae.
He united and led the 3rd class, proposing a deal by offering land.
He delivered on his promise to distribute land to the lower class, taking from the eupatrids, which led to a series of revolts led by the nouveau riche.
At his death, his two sons, Hippias and Hipparchus, took over power but failed to be good rulers and were ousted from power.
Cleisthenes’ Democratic Reform
He made an amendment to the Constitution of Athens (510 BC)
Divided the territory into three zones:
Coast, Mountain, and Plain.
Each was divided into 10 tritium (Demos).
Formed 10 tribes consisting of trithia (coast, plains, and mountains).
Each tribe elected its own representatives to the polis:
50 buleutas (Boule 500), 1 Archon, 1 Strategist, and 600 heliasts (popular tribunal).
The 5th Century Athens
Athens will be sorely tested.
It must face the Persians in the invasions known as the Medical Wars.
The Time of Pericles
After the battle of Salamis, Athens strengthened its power and wealth through trade. The Athenians rebuilt and beautified their city under the guidance of Pericles, who ruled from the year 460 BC.
The vast cultural and economic prosperity it once enjoyed led to the Golden Age of Pericles, while Pericles’ concerns ensured that all citizens were equal before the law.
Deepening Democracy
Reforms of Ephialtes and Pericles:
The Areopagus underwent profound reform, losing most of its political powers.
Benches were opened to all citizens.
The Great Reformation established a salary for public office, starting with the magistrates and council members, and finally judges and members of the popular assembly.
Ensuring Democracy
The tribunals were raffled.
They were monitored through the Assembly and also rendered accounts of their performance.
Most of the tribunals had a duration of one year.
The Medical Wars
The extent of trade in the Greek cities in the Mediterranean led to clashes with the Persian Empire.
These clashes are known as the Medical Wars.
Consequences of the Medical Wars
For the Persians:
- They stopped their territorial expansion.
- Did not affect their power as a major Asian power.
For the Greeks:
- Safeguarded the identity of Greek cities and colonies, influencing the future of Western civilization.
- Despite joining to fight, the various city-states remained independent.
- Eliminated the military dominance of Sparta, allowing Athens to emerge as a power.
- Produced a flowering of trade, wealth, and cultural development, particularly in Athens.
The Peloponnesian War
The rise of Athens aroused the suspicions of Sparta, leading to mutual hostility that culminated in the Peloponnesian War (431 BC – 404 BC).
Sparta created the Peloponnesian League as a counterweight to the Delian League formed in Athens along with the major Ionian cities.
Sparta managed to win against Athens, marking the beginning of the decline of ancient Greece, which was further accentuated by the subsequent conquests of Philip II of Macedon.