Political Instituitions (Buckley)

Question 1

How was the Council of 500 (Boule) elected?

Answer 1

• Council of 500 was appointed by lot. 50 men from each of the 10 tribes.

Question 2

Who were the ‘epuistates’? (Council of 500)

Answer 2

• Each day, ‘epistates’ who could only hold the post once in his lifetime- chosen by lot from 50 prytaneis.

Question 3

How was the Boule a democratic instituition?

Answer 3

• Boule was a cross section of demos, as every geographical area, every class and every interest was included

Question 4

What right did the Athenians had as a citizen towards the Boule?

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

How did the Boule remain as a servant to the Ekklesia (Assembly of People)?

Answer 5

• 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.

Question 6

Who was included in the Council of 500?

Answer 6

• Each had to be over age 30 and undergo ‘dokimasia’

Question 7

How was the Council of 500 divided?

Answer 7

• 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.

Question 8

Define Prytaneis

Answer 8

A group of 50 men from a certain tribe in the Council of the 500.

Question 9

What was the role/purpose of this instituition?

Answer 9

Two major powers and responsibilities:

• Administrative – Aid and supervise other officials.
• Probouleutic - Prepare an agenda for the Ekklesia.

Question 10

Besides administrative and probouluetic roles, what else does the Council of 500 do?

Answer 10

• 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.

Question 11

Where was the Ekklesia held?

Answer 11

Ecclesia, were held on the Pnyx, a hill near the Acropolis.

Question 12

How often was the Ekklesia held?

Answer 12

• Four meetings each prytanny: 40 per year. One of which is the Principal Assembly.

Question 13

What was Buckley’s opinion on the number of times the Athenians held the Ekklesia?

Answer 13

• 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.

Question 14

Who was allowed to partake in the Ekklesia?

Answer 14

Open to all Athenian citizens above the 18 and over.

Question 15

What happened in the Principal Assembly? (Aristotle)

Answer 15

• 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.

Question 16

What does the democratic purpose of the Principal Assembly reveal?

Answer 16

Accountability of the public officials (generals especially) was paramount importance to the demos with a vote of confidence.

Question 17

Summarise the purpose of the Ekklesia.

Answer 17

Ecclesia exercised control over every area of public business

Question 18

When was the Agenda of the Ekklesia published?

Answer 18

Agenda was publicised four days in advanced by prytaneis- gives citizens time to organize thoughts and their private business

Question 19

Why was the Heliaea important?

Answer 19

Vital for maintenance of democracy.

Question 20

Who recreated Heliaea?

Answer 20

• Solon recreated Heliaea as court of appeal which offered redress from legal decisions of ‘archons’ and ‘Areopagus

Question 21

Who was the first man to provide payment for jury service?

Answer 21

Pericles

Question 22

How much was the payment for jury service?

Answer 22

Pay was two obols a day, but 425, increased to three obols.

Question 23

How many jurors were enrolled?

Answer 23

6,000

Question 24

How were the jurors chosen?

Answer 24

By lot from volunteers.

Question 25

What were the requirements to be a juror?

Answer 25

30 years of age.

Question 26

What is the role of the Areopagus in the Heliaea?

Answer 26

• 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.

Question 27

How is the the vote taken in the Helilaea?

Answer 27

• Votes are counted and conviction could be obtained by small majority.

Question 28

How was the penalty determined in the Helilaea?

Answer 28

• 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.