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’
Title of “Father of Democracy”: Cleisthenes earned the title “the father of democracy” by implementing significant reforms that greatly empowered the Athenian populace and enhanced their political influence.
Introduction of the Strategoi: He established the deme system, which introduced the strategoi—ten generals elected from each tribe—ensuring equal representation in military leadership, as demonstrated by Miltiades at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Expansion of the Boule: Cleisthenes expanded Solon’s boule from 400 to 500 members, with 50 representatives from each tribe, creating a more balanced power structure and promoting democratic decision-making for the benefit of all citizens.
Ostracism and Sortition: He implemented ostracism and the practice of sortition (random selection for government roles) to limit the concentration of power and prevent autocratic rule, effectively reducing the risk of tyranny, as noted by historian D.M. Lewis.
Promotion of Political Equality: Cleisthenes’ reforms, particularly the division of power among the ten tribes, promoted political equality, fragmented authority, and solidified the foundations of democratic governance in Athens.
Ephialtes the ‘reformer’
Strategic Opposition to Cimon: Ephialtes leveraged Cleisthenes’ democratic reforms to gain influence as a strategos, opposing Cimon’s decision to aid the Helot Revolt in 463 BC, which positioned him against the aristocratic establishment.
Attack on the Areopagus: He launched a significant reform targeting the Areopagus, stripping it of its powers and redistributing authority to popular courts, the boule, and the ekklesia, reducing it to a symbolic court primarily for murder cases.
Weakening of the Oligarchy: Ephialtes’ reforms substantially weakened the oligarchic elements of Athenian governance, inciting anger among aristocrats and leading to his assassination in 461 BC, which facilitated Pericles’ rise to power.
Empowerment of Democratic Institutions: He further empowered the boule and expanded the role of the Heliaia by distributing the guardianship of laws to the people’s courts, enabling all citizens to serve as jurors and enhancing public participation in governance.
Pericles
Just mention Plutarch saying it
Expansion of Political Access: Pericles lowered the property requirement for becoming an archon in 457 BC, enabling the thetes (lower-class citizens) to hold significant political positions, which diluted the power of the aristocracy.
Dilution of Archonship Power: In 457 BC, Ephialtes lowered the property requirements for holding the position of archon, allowing the zeugitai (hoplites) to participate in politics, thereby increasing representation for lower social classes and broadening political access.
-> Later the Thetes were allowed to become Archons completing diluting the power of the Archon and thus the Areopagus at a whole.
Increased Legal Participation: By introducing wages for all citizens serving on the Helaia in 454 BC, Pericles allowed thetes to engage in the legal system, enhancing their political representation and influence.
Deme System Enhancement: The increase in the deme system further decentralized aristocratic power, resulting in more archons within Athenian society and empowering the thetes, who were crucial to Athens’ naval strength.
Restrictive Citizenship Laws: Pericles implemented citizenship laws that mandated Athenian men to marry Athenian women for their children to be considered citizens, aimed at preserving Athenian democracy but also enhancing women’s status and potentially targeting political rivals like Cimon.
Monetary Incentives for Public Office: All officials in Athenian government became paid positions under Pericles, allowing broader citizen participation in governance, increasing attendance at the ekklesia, and reducing the financial barriers that previously limited public office to the elite.
