Trials - Athens Flashcards
What was the ekklesia?
was the sovereign political body - included all citizens over 18
it passed laws and voted on matters drawn up in the boule, examined work done magistrates (and if necessary sent them to trial for unsatisfactory performance) and admirals or generals (if their work was inexcusably incompetent they could call for the death penalty), discussed grain supply (vital as poor agriculture)
How often did the ekklesia meet?
were four meetings each prytany (or 40 a year) or when asked to by the boule - emergency meetings could be called
not all could attend but was rep. of all athenian citizens
when vote was called officials roped off men with a dyed rope wet with paint to prevent latecomers from getting a vote
met on the pynx at dawn
How was the vote decided in the ekklesia?
By a show of hands or by acclamation (shouting agreement) (except in cases of treason or ostracising) w officials counting the result
What was the Panathenaic festival?
the panathenaea (all-Athenian festival) was Athen’s most important festival and one of the grandest in the entire Greek world except for slaves, all could take part
when was the panathenaea celebrated?
just after the first new moon of the year in observance of Athena’s birthdaywas extended every 4 years to over a number of days with many public events (great panathenaea)
What artwork represents the Panathenaic procession + what happened in the procession?
the Parthenon Frieze represents the procession
it made its way on the Panathenaic Way through the Agora towards the Acropolis. sacrifices were made offered in front of the temple of Athena Nike next to the Propylaea (only Athenian citizens could pass through the Propylaea + enter the acropolis)
the procession passed the Parthenon and stopped at the great alter of Athena in front of the Erechtheum where a sacrifice was made and a feast was held
each year a newly woven peplos (robe) was dedicated to Athena.
What did Gibbon say about the peplos of athena in the festival?
Gibbon: “this was the climax of the festival”. the peplos was affef to her ancient olive-wood statue - the most holy object on the acropolis
What was the Dionysia?
a festival run by the chief magistrate
comprised two related festivals, the Rural Dionysia and the City Dionysia which took place in different parts of the year
What was the rural dionysia?
children took part when they reached the age of 3
had 3 days
on the 1st day the new wine was mixed with water in honour of dionysius, after that songs + dance took place
the next day Dionysius was brought through the streets on a ship on wheels to re-fertilise the earth + was then ‘married’ to the wife of the king archon
What was the city Dionysia?
involved Dionysius returning by land instead of sea
the first day of the festival started with a sacrifice of a bull at the temple
the next three days the festival was given over to drama
What was the Thesmophoria?
most widespread festival + the main expression of the cult of Demeter, aside from Eleusinian Mysteries
the feast was for women to celebrate their private customs, they left the home + set up makeshift shelters
only women married to Athenian men could participate - no men
was supposed to promote fertility but women prepared for it with sexual abstinence
When did the Thesmophoria commemorate?
the 3rd part of the year when Demeter abstained from her role as goddess of the harvest and growth; spending the harsh summer months (when vegetation dies and lacks rain) mourning for her daughter
