Oligarchy, Democracy, and Monarchy Flashcards
At what point in Hdt does the constitutional debate occur?
3.80-82
Who are the speakers in Hdt’s constitutional debate and what do they each support and why?
Otanes, democracy, men are less likely to fall to vices if held accountable and ‘the people’ essentially equates to the state
Megabyzus, oligarchy, masses are not to be trusted with their ignorance and irresponsibility; the ‘best men’ have better education and qualities suited to government
Darius, monarchy, having a good man in government is the ultimate form which failures in the others often lead to.
What does Simonton argue about the emergence of oligarchy? (2)
it was contemporary to the emergence of democracy
it developed as a counteraction to democracy
What is the Old Oligarch’s praise for democracy in respect to what he understands its aims to be?
Main aim: preserve its constitutional form
Praise: they effectively achieve this
What is the fundamental indication that a state is oligarchic?
property requirement for political engagement (usually membership in assembly)
What conflict runs through the Old Oligarch and Thucydides?
natural social tension between the masses, who support democracy, and the wealthy, who are more oligarchic
What is an economic reason naval power was equated with democracy in the ancient world?
it was cheaper on an individual level to be an oarsman than a hoplite
Why does the Old Oligarch fundamentally oppose the system of democracy?
refence?
it places ‘worthless’ men, who are ignorant and undisciplined, in power over their valuable peers
1.1, 1.5
What is the general content of chapters 1 and 2 of Old Oligarch?
Imagined criticisms of democracy with the explanation repeatedly being that they are deliberate as they ensure the maintenance of the demos’ power
What is the content of chapter 3 of Old Oligarch?
how administration and public business is done very slowly in Athens
When was the oligarchic Revolution of the Four Hundred? In what context was it est?
- Post-failure at Sicily when morale was very low and a change was perceived as needed
How was the government formed from the council of 400?
a group of 100 from the larger pool of 400 would be selected by lot to govern for one year
What reason does Aristotle give for the demos supporting the council of 400 oligarchy? Thucydides?
believed it would win them valuable support from Persia (Ath Pol.29)
need for discipline in a time of uncertainty (8.1)
When did The Thirty come to power? In what context?
405
The loss of Aegospotami and victory of Sparta over Athens, then Lysander coming to the city and installing the new oligarchic regime
Under what pretence did the Thirty act on once they were in power?
restoring the ancestral Athenian constitution
What does Aristotle refer to as the popularity turning point in the early phase of the Thirty?
mass executions of any who could threaten their power
How did the Thirty regime come to an end?
Overwhelmed by pro-democracy rebels led by Thrasybulus (ath pol 37-8)
What replaced the Thirty regime?
democracy headed by a council of 10 elected men with the enactment of the constitution happening in 403
In what context did the Four Hundred fall? What replaced it?
Failures at Eretria and revolt of Euboea
Council of 5000 that required military equipment to be owned by the members and offered no salary
What and when were the main reforms of Solon? Their significance?
c594 BCE
Properties for magistrate offices was based on wealth, replacing a birth system - dissolved the disparity between new money indivs and birth elites.
Athenian debts and those in debt-bondage were forgiven - contrib to the idea of Athenian identity that differentiated lower class poor Athenians from slaves w their pol status.
established Council of 400 that chose the agenda for assembly
What appears to have been the intentions behind Solon’s reforms?
Ease social tension by loosening birth ties and privileges in upper classes AND strengthening rights among the lower classes
What was the effect of the Pisistratid regime on the role of the elites in Athens?
reduced the awe the masses had for them in power with one individual serving them better than the elites ever had
What does Eder say crucially formed in Ath politics after Pisistratid regime?
‘civilian self-conciousness’
What and when occurred prior to Cleisthenes getting into power?
510-508
Civil war as a result of aristocratic competition
What was the fundamental reform Cleisthenes introduced? (3) Significance?
Introduced the demotic system which contributed to the definition of citizenship and unity of the masses.
Demotic councils then contributed to new council of 500.
Institution of ostracism.
Asserted the idea of collective responsibility and Athenian identity on multiple levels, providing important political foundations for the next century.
What changes did NOT necessarily occur under Cleisthenes?
Open debate
Abolish property qualifications for magistracies
Brought pay for government service
What were the major ‘post-Cleisthenes’ reforms? Significance?
487 Selection by lot of archons and other magistracies.
462 Reforms that restricted the powers of the Areopagus meaning they could no longer halt decisions of the masses.
post-462 Intro/Greater emphasis on isegoria - the right for all citizens to speak in the Assembly which meant such greater engagement by the masses.
457/6 all offices no longer had property qualifications then government pay was introduced so working classes could afford to take on pol leadership.
451/0 new rules for citizenship based on the mother being an Athenian citizen.
440s state pay introduced for jurors, changing the way in which any individual was tried.
Last remains of elite monopoly of politics were lost and collective power of the masses was solidified.
What intellectual theme in Thuc would likely have influenced his view on oligarchic revolutions?
stasis and its sheer negative impact, it was the greatest of evils
What does Thuc say the 400 did once they sensed their popularity had declined? What does this indicate about the cause of the fall of oligarchies?
properly set up the 5000, having not done so due to their promotion by private ambition
self-interest was the destruction of oligarchies, especially emerging from a democracy
