Athenian Society: Social Structure & political organisation

Question 1

what was a polis?

Answer 1

self governing city state, independant, included its own agora/sacred temple site and fortified, own government, laws, military –> share similar culture/religion

Question 2

Solon’s four classes:

Answer 2

thetes, zeugitai, hippies, pentakosiomedimnoi

Question 3

who was pentakosiomedimnoi?

Answer 3

top class: make more than 500 measures/yr, access to highest ranking offices: strategoi/archon, vote, jury/assembly member/boule

Question 4

hippies?

Answer 4

second class: also cavalry, afford horse, 300-500 measures

Question 5

zeugitai?

Answer 5

second lowest class, farmers –> hoplites, up to 200 measures, pericles 458 reform allowed to be archonship and other democratic roles

Question 6

thetes?

Answer 6

lowest class, less than 200 measures, artisans and labourers, not able to join Boule, could vote and be juror, slingers/archers/rowers

Question 7

strategoi:

Answer 7

commanders of army/navy –> 10 generals, elected, could hold office consecutively, usually from Pent. class but could also be hippies/zeugitai, oversee Piraeus/recruit allies

Question 8

hippies:

Answer 8

1000 horsemen, maintain horse and protect flanks of phalanx –> assist army by border control/fighting combat

Question 9

hoplites:

Answer 9

common foot soldiers, phalanx formation, pus through enemy phalanx, needed to be of strength, zeugitai class, needed own bronze armour/weapons

Question 10

thetes role in military:

Answer 10

both navy–> rowers, important as navy dominant

army–> slingers, arches, lightly-armed infantry men

Question 11

role of women:

Answer 11

domestic, under kyrios (guardian), funeral –> mourning/prothesis, washing, preparing body in ritual, festival –> priestess

Question 12

metics role:

Answer 12

Gomme: 10% of population
important –> payed taxes, go through military training, rowers, flute players, cant own land, not citizen, involved in trade/industry

Question 13

status of women:

Answer 13

lower than men, by class, no political/legal rights,

Question 14

role/features of military:

Answer 14

feature: military service/training compulsory at 18 –> after then considered athenian citizen,

army –> small in comparison, only defensive role

navy –> more sig. protect/maintenance of Athenian empire, secure trade routes, protect allies, suppress revolts,

Question 15

slaves role:

Answer 15

owned by state/private, worked mines, houses,

Question 16

structure/features of democracy: boule

Answer 16

council of 500, prytanies, proposes law for ekklesia

Question 17

structure/features of democracy: heliaea

Answer 17

jury, law court

Question 18

structure/features of democracy: ekklesia

Answer 18

assembly, vote on laws

Question 19

structure/features of democracy: strategia

Answer 19

group of 10 generals