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 AlcmaeonidsWho 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 slaveryWho 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 courtWhat 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 magistraciesWhat was Solon’s Impact and the problem with oligarchy(small group with power)?
Abolished the hectemor (hektemeroi) system and debt slavery
Aided in creation of free peasantry
Distinction between freedom and slavery
Solon withdraws
Old rifts reappear and new troubles in government
New factions and loyalties
Men of the Plains – mainly conservative landowners
Men of the Coast – mainly merchant class
Men of the Hills – mainly the poorest citizens
What were Peisistratus three attempts at takeover?What was the name of his faction?
Attempt #1: c. 560 BCE
Request for a bodyguard → use bodyguard to seize Acropolis
Attempt #2: c. 556 BCE
Returns to Athens with “Athena”
Alliance with Megacles (Men of the Coast)
Alliance fails
Attempt #3: c. 546 BCE
Marches troops into Athens
Tyranny 546-527 BCE
Men of the hills
What did Peisistratus make improvements to ?
Economic reforms Building programs Foreign affairs Religious propaganda Export and trade
Who were Hippas and Hipparchus?
Sons of Peisistratus Came to power by birth Issues of inheritance Informal power Monarchical style
Who was Herodotus?When did he write? WHat time did he write about? What biases might he had?
Herodotus (c. 484-420s BCE)
Herodotus, Histories
Writing mid-5th century
Writing about 546-510 BCE
Biases
An aristocrat
Experiences with tyrants
Attitude in Herodotus’ accountWho was Aristotle?When did he write?What time did he write about? what kind of ideas did he have?
Aristotle (c. 384-322 BCE)
Aristotle, Constitution of the Athenians
Writing mid-4th century
Writing about 546-510 BCE
Applying ideas of democracy to Archaic Athens
More balanced discussion on tyranny?
Why were some of the “Tyrants” considered benevolent dictators ?
Positive actions of tyrants
Arts, trade, infrastructure, etc.
Informal power
Popularity, military
Absolute and arbitrary rule
Time of flux
Trying to maintain Dark Age values in a more complex societyWhat were some notable post tyranny events?
Spartan King Cleomenes helped get rid of Hippias
Installs pro-Spartan oligarchy
508 BCE - Isagoras elected chief archon
Rival Cleisthenes (Alcmaeonid clan) exiled
Isagoras loses popularity
Cleisthenes returns
Isagoras and Spartans are removed
What were the reforms of Cleisthenes?
508/7 BCE
Abolished the traditional phylai
Three regional divisions: City, Coast, Hills/Inland
10 trittyes (“thirds”) in each = 30 total
Groups of demes- Demes (“villages”), ca. 150
Each tribe contributes: 1 archon (10) 1 strategos (10) Troops to army 50 men to Boulē (now 500), chosen by lot prytaneis - prytany "president"
