Athenian Democracy

How would you define democracy? Consider the definition below provided by the Greek Historian Herodotus in the fifth century BCE.

Herodotus, Histories 3.80

Aristotle’s Politics Forms of Government Monarchy (The rule of one.) Aristocracy (The rule of the elite.) Democracy (The rule of the people.) Corrupted Forms Tyranny Oligarchy Demagoguery or Anarchy

deme=people cratis=power Thesis: Athenian democracy was paradoxical in that it was both radically hierarchical and radically egalitarian.

Hierarchical: It excluded a large segment of the population: women, slaves, foreigners, children (Only adult male citizens, perhaps 10-20% of the population could participate politically.) Egalitarian: It was not representative democracy, but direct democracy. All citizens made laws and decisions for the polis, not special legislators. All citizens held political office during their lifetimes.

Athenian Democracy I. Political Changes and Reforms to the end of the Sixth Century II. The Athenian Constitution (Politeia) in the Fifth Century BCE III. Athenian Government in Practice

I. Political Changes and Reforms in Athens to the end of the Sixth Century 1. By 700 BCE a ruling aristocracy replaced kings 2. Solons Reforms (c. 594 BCE) –All citizens could vote, but not all could hold magisterial offices; ended slavery for debt 3. Period of Populist Tyrants ( BCE) 4. Cleisthenes Reforms (c. 508 BCE) –All citizens could hold office

II. Athenian Constitution (Politeia) 1 Citizenship (18; if both parents citizens) 2 Citizen Assembly (Ekklesia) –Met at least once a week; all citizens could attend, speak in, and vote on laws and decisions 3 Political and Administrative Offices –Chosen by lottery; term limits of one year, never two years in a row; same office only twice in one’s life 4 Courts –no legal professionals only private citizens

5 The Theoretical Purpose: A fragmentation of power (of influential families/clans/individuals) –The government structure made it difficult for individuals or groups (powerful families) to accumulate power. –We think of equality in terms of rights. Ancient Athenians also considered citizens functionally equal in the sense of being interchangeable (like hoplites in the phalanx)

III. Athenian Government in Practice 1. Compared to Modern Democracies –Why don’t people vote in US elections? Very low participation in modern US democracy. 2. Widespread and active participation in ancient Athens 3. A Relationship between Equality and Hierarchy? –Patriarchy –Slavery –Empire

Did direct democracy exist because of the many forms of hierarchy that supported it (participation possible because of social and political order)?

Patriarchy Disparity in marriage age Wives had limited public presence Prostitutes and Courtesans (hetairai); typically foreign women and slaves –Aspasia (Pericles lover and companion) Pederasty among the elites (love of youths/adolescents)

Slavery A Slave Society: –Fifth-century Athens perhaps 250,000 with a slave population of 80,000 Prisoners of War –Not a racial slavery; those who were reduced to slavery through war and piracy Served in Diverse Occupations –Private slaves: artisans, managers, domestic servants, secretaries, miners –Public slaves: police, executioners, clerks

Athenian Imperialism Athens as the Head of the Delian League –Appropriated the League Treasury –Forced Membership (“allies could not withdraw) Growing Dominance over Other Greek poleis