2012: Account for the democratic reforms of Athens during this period? Flashcards
Intro:
Democracy was built upon their predecessors i.e Cleisthenes use of the pre-exiting 4 tribes system
Many other reformers however, most been changed or built upon by Cleisthenes, Pericles and Ephialtes
Cleisthenes ‘the father of democracy’
Was exiled by a tyrant however was recalled back due to his attempt to abolish the boule
Installed The deme system: To prevent tyranny he split up the existing four tribes (all coming from the top ) into 10 tribes which would be further separated into thirds -> D.M Lewis highlight how it reduced the potential of tyranny as power would be further split democratically.
-> introduction of the strategoi (one from each tribe) would be the ten generals, used by Miltiades in battle of Marathon 490BC.
Established sortition filled governmental systems with random citizens -> prevented the autocracy from taking complete control of government and therefore creation of tyranny.
Built upon Solum boule (previously a group of 400, now a group of 500), would select 50 from each tribe (balancing power) -> and with its oath led to best democratic decisions for the people.
Introduction of ostracism: if 6000 members voted then you would be exile for 10 years -> prevented tyranny however led to exile of Cimon and Themistocles.
Ephialtes the ‘reformer’
Was a strageois and disagreed with Cimon on sending help to the helot revolt of 463 -> with his ostracism he rose to power.
-> the beginning of an era of ‘radical democracy’
Attack on the Areopagus: persecuting members for maladministration. Utilising the popular courts, boule and ekklescia to strip away their ‘additional powers’ -> made the areopagus a symbolic ‘high court’ only dealing with murder.
Distribution of ‘guardianship of the laws’ to the peoples court and boule who would run the day-to-day operations. -> the Heliaia where all could serve as jury would take control of the laws.
Ephialtes assassination 461BC (most likely ordered from the aristocrats, whose powers had been stripped), paved the way for young Pericles and his major reforms.
Pericles
Just mention Plutarch saying it
Lowered the property requirement to become a archon (diluting its power) in 457 BC + gave wages to all citizens who served on the Helaia in 454BC -> which allowed the thetes (lower class) to participate in the legal system.
Increase of the deme system (further division of aristocratic power -> more power to thetes, who were the backbone of Athens naval dominance)
Citizenship laws 451 BC: Consolidation of Athenian power and all its civil liberties to Athens.
-> enhanced the status of women within society, as it forced men to marry Athenian women in order for their children to be considered Athenian.
-> might of been a target attack to undermine Cimon, whose mother was non-Athenian.
