Political Instituitions (Buckley) Flashcards
How was the Council of 500 (Boule) elected?
- Council of 500 was appointed by lot. 50 men from each of the 10 tribes.
Who were the ‘epuistates’? (Council of 500)
- Each day, ‘epistates’ who could only hold the post once in his lifetime- chosen by lot from 50 prytaneis.
How was the Boule a democratic instituition?
- Boule was a cross section of demos, as every geographical area, every class and every interest was included
What right did the Athenians had as a citizen towards the Boule?
- Every Athenian had a right in the Ecclesia to amend, reject or offer a counter-motion to that of the Boule and thus its potential influence could be nullified.
How did the Boule remain as a servant to the Ekklesia (Assembly of People)?
- The use of lot recruitment, rotation of office, ten tribe prytaneis and limitation of one year guaranteed that the Boule stayed servant of the Ecclesia.
Who was included in the Council of 500?
- Each had to be over age 30 and undergo ‘dokimasia’
How was the Council of 500 divided?
- Athenian year divided into 10 ‘prytannies’ (period of 35 or 36 days)
- 50 councillors from each ten tribes took turns steering committee for one prytanny.
Define Prytaneis
A group of 50 men from a certain tribe in the Council of the 500.
What was the role/purpose of this instituition?
Two major powers and responsibilities:
- Administrative – Aid and supervise other officials.
- Probouleutic - Prepare an agenda for the Ekklesia.
Besides administrative and probouluetic roles, what else does the Council of 500 do?
- Expected to perform strict financial control.
- Handled all diplomatic relations between Ahens and other states
- Assessment and collection of tribute from subject- allies of Athens.
Where was the Ekklesia held?
Ecclesia, were held on the Pnyx, a hill near the Acropolis.
How often was the Ekklesia held?
- Four meetings each prytanny: 40 per year. One of which is the Principal Assembly.
What was Buckley’s opinion on the number of times the Athenians held the Ekklesia?
- OPINION: Unlikely that this prescribed number of four and list of agenda topics operated in the 5th century.
- OPINION: Likely that probably ten Principal Assemblies and numerous others convened as often as desired.
Who was allowed to partake in the Ekklesia?
Open to all Athenian citizens above the 18 and over.
What happened in the Principal Assembly? (Aristotle)
- Vote for confirmation of details regarding official’s performance
- Deal with food supply and defence of country
- Anyone who wishes to bring impeachment
- Confiscated inventories of estates are read and legal claims for right of succession to inheritances and marriage.
- Sixth Prytanny: ostracism or not, vote on preliminary information laid against anyone, to three cases in each class.
- Consider any cases where promises made to the demos have not been kept.
What does the democratic purpose of the Principal Assembly reveal?
Accountability of the public officials (generals especially) was paramount importance to the demos with a vote of confidence.
Summarise the purpose of the Ekklesia.
Ecclesia exercised control over every area of public business
When was the Agenda of the Ekklesia published?
Agenda was publicised four days in advanced by prytaneis- gives citizens time to organize thoughts and their private business
Why was the Heliaea important?
Vital for maintenance of democracy.
Who recreated Heliaea?
- Solon recreated Heliaea as court of appeal which offered redress from legal decisions of ‘archons’ and ‘Areopagus
Who was the first man to provide payment for jury service?
Pericles
How much was the payment for jury service?
Pay was two obols a day, but 425, increased to three obols.
How many jurors were enrolled?
6,000
How were the jurors chosen?
By lot from volunteers.
What were the requirements to be a juror?
30 years of age.
What is the role of the Areopagus in the Heliaea?
- Areopagus retained jurisdiction over intentional homicide, thus the archons within a short time became merely the presidents of courts. But had no powers of judgement.
How is the the vote taken in the Helilaea?
- Votes are counted and conviction could be obtained by small majority.
How was the penalty determined in the Helilaea?
- No general penalty code in Athens, left to the prosecutor to suggest his preferred penalty and defendant to offer alternative penality. Jury then vote on one or other forms of penalties.
