Political organisation (Aristotle) Flashcards
What is the prytanny?
Buckley-
- Ten months in Athenian year.
- Active members of Boule making decisions.
- A group of prytanny (50 people in charge) for each prytanny (month).
Describe how the prytanny takes turn in reigning?
First four goups of prytanny: 36 days
Last six: 35 days
Same government but different group of 50 people presiding in each month. Therefore, a new person presides each day.
According to Aristotle, how were the Council of 500 (Boule) elected?
Appointed by lot, 5o members from each tribe.
How often can you be part of the Council of 500?
2 times in lifetime and not in consecutive years.
According to Aristotle, what is the Ekklesia at the Pnyx?
The meeting of city body in the Ekklesia where Athenian citzens came to vote.
What power does the Boule have over ostracism? (Aristotle)
The Council of 500 (Boule) decides if a vote needs to be taken or ostracism takes place at all. Ostracism occurs once a year.
1st Meeting: Yes or no ostracism
2nd Meeting: Who gets ostracised.
Who elects the 10 generals, calvary commanders and other military officers? (Aristotle)
The Athenian people elected by vote.
How were the 10 generals formerly elected?
Formerly elected from each tribe but during Aristotle’s time, they are appointed by whole citizen body.
List what each of the 10 generals do. (Aristotle)
1) In command of the hoplites: Commands hoplites if they go out of Attica. (offence)
2) In command of the country: Guards Athens and commands if there is a war in the country. (Defense)
3) Two in command of the Piraeus of Municilla and Acte: Responsible for guarding equipment at the Piraeus.
4) One in charge of symmaries, registers triachs, adjudications.
Others sent out on current business- foreign affiars, neighbouring war needing help, anything in the context of military. Also treaties and allies.
What sort of checks are there of generals? (Aristotle)
A monthly vote of confidence to ensure their performance is satisfactory.
Who can be part of the Jury?(Aristotle)
Jury services open to:
- Men over 30 years old
- Has citizenship
- Has NO debt or deprived of civil rights.
What does each jury man have with him? (Aristotle)
Boxwood Ticket- inscribed with his name, father’s name and deme with one of the ltters up to Kappa. (Ballot ticket)
What is a Klepsydra? (Aristotle)
A water clock used to time speeches. Has tubes as outlets and water is poured into these.
Explain the system used to time speeches. (Aristotle)
Speeches in trial must be kept to the time thus measured. The time allowed for a session depends on how serious the case is.
Man appointed by lot closes the tube whenever secretary is about to read out a testimony.
11 jars used in fixed proportions and 3 of them are used for voting.
Explain the system of voting described by Aristotle.
- Public Juries: 501 men.
Two panels combined in the heliaea. Greatest suits: 3 are combined.
Bronze ballots:
- Axle through the middle, half hollow and half solid
- After speeches, men appointed by give each juror two ballots, one hollow and one solid in full view of litigants to avoid excess ballots.
-Man who distributed ballots take staves.
Juror takes a bronze token with 3-obol design. Purpose: Ensure all have voted.
- Two jars in court- bronze and wood. Capable of being dismantled so no one could secretly insert ballots. Jurors cast votes in these.
- When ready to vote, herald makes first proclaimation of objection. Objections not allowed during voting
- Juror takes his ballots together from the stand, gripping axle of ballot and not showing the contestants which is which.
- The one that is to count into the bronze jar and the one that is not into the wooden.
