5. Archaic Statsis and the Tyrannies of Athens Flashcards
When was the time of the Tyrannies?
670-500 BCE
What does Tyrant mean?
rule of one man (autocrat)
What is the problem with the sources for this time?
Biases (pro-aristocracy)
Writing much later
What were some of the problems from Archaic Athens?
Elite rivalries
Growing struggles for power
Fighting among clans (gene)
What does Stasis mean?
“taking a stand”
Who is Cylon? When was his born and what are some of his notable events from this time?
Previous Olympic victor Father-in-law = Theagenes, tyrant of Megara c. 632 BCE – seizes Acropolis Does not get popular support Chief archon Megacles He and Alcmaeonid clan exiled Curse of the Alcmaeonids
Who was Draco?When was the Law Code of Draco est. ? What were the consequences?
Draco was elected chief archon and was the first recorded legislator of Athens. He wrote down the law codes that were available to the public which removed some power of aristocracy. Moving law from private (family matters) to public. it also Emphasis on property ownership “debt slavery”
What does Isonomia mean?
‘equality before the law
What was the crisis that was happening with Athens?
Foreign meddling (Megara, etc.) Land hunger Aristocratic rivalry and corruption Widespread extreme poverty hektemeroi (“sixth-parters”) debt slavery
Who is Solon?What was the end results of what he accomplished?
638-558 BCE Aristocrat, regained fortune, merchant Relatable to all groups Chief/eponymous archon Alleviate troubles of poor majority- But not destroy the rich minority
What were Solon’s economic reforms? What did this not accomplish?
Debt cancellation, return of property
Debt slavery outlawed
Land not redistributed
Debt and money lending not outlawed
What were Solon’s social reforms?
Citizens were divided based on land production 1. Pentakosiomedimnoi “500 bushel men” Highest offices Limited group
- Hippeis
“Horsemen”
Cavalry
High offices (archons) - Zeugetai
Small landownders
Hoplite soldiers
4. Thetes 200 bushels or less No high positions in gov’t; can attend Ekklesia Light-armed troops, sailors Women, metics, slaves
What does Seisachtheia mean?
Seisachtheia (“Loosening of burdens”)
seiein ’to shake’ + achthos ’burden’
What were Solon’s judicial reforms accomplish?
Heliaia- supreme court of athens Jury court Minor crimes appeals Appeals on decisions of Areopagus---Homicide casese Check on corruption Reduced severity of punishments Opened up who could bring cases to court
What were Solon’s political reforms?
Boulē Council of 400 100 male citizens from each phylē Propose/refer legislation to Ekklesia Ekklesia The Assembly All male citizens Approve laws proposed by Boulē Rules of participation Thetes – Assembly Zeugetai – low level offices (e.g., Boulē) Hippeis – up to archon Pentakosiomedimnoi – chief magistracies