Athenian Democracy Definitions

Archons Office-holders, 9 men and a secretary chosen annually by the ekklesia. Eupatridae pre- Solon, Pentacosiomedimni Solon and top two social classes Kleisthenes, one of the 10 gave his name to the yeaar

Areopagus The hill of Ares. A council made of ex-archons which met there. Ultimate authority law wise until Solon. Would supervise the archons pre-Solon but didn't have this role after him.

Basileus Archon Religious archon, took care of religious law and cases of homicide.

Boule A council, made of originally 400 members (100 from each of the 4 tribes) until Kleisthenes, where it turned to 500 members (50 from each of the 10 tribes). Chosen by lot, unpaid office, prepared measures before they were put to the ekklesia.

Deme Local communities in Athens. Replaced kinship units and became Kleisthenes' basic reform. Maintained register of citizens over 18 years old. Not geographically or birth based.

Demiourgoi Craftsmen class pre-Solon. Could vote but not hold archonship. Could become very wealthy.

Ecclesia Assembly of male citizens summoned as of right. Meetings usually summoned by the boule, held on the pynx. Each citizen could vote and speak, show of hands.

Eponymous Archon Head archon, gave his name to the year.

Eupatridae Nobles, top class pre-Solon and very much the minority. Owned all the land and held all the political power.

Georgoi Small land farmers who found themselves in debt to larger land owners (eupatridae). Pre-Solon only.

Hippeis Solon's second census class. 300 measures of corn. Could afford to provide their own horse and armour. Could hold public offices except that of archon.

Pentacosionmedimni Solon's top census class. 500 measures of corn. Had to supply the cost of liturgies. Could hold position of archon and other offices.

Phylae The tribes. 4 blood based ones before Kleisthenes, 10 random ones after.

Polemarch One of the archons appointed annually. Originally military leader until 5th Century BCE.

Prytaneis Kleisthenes' time, each group of 50 from each tribe would act as president for 1/10th of the year. Had to organise ekklesia and boule meetings. Each day one of the prytaneis was chosen to be chairman and to hold the key of Athens per lot.

Seisactheia "Shaking off of burdens," was the first act of Solon's reforms, cancelling debts and preventing debts ensured by personal freedom.

Thetes Lowest class of people. Pre-Solon hired help. After Solon lowest class, anything less than 200 measures of corn. Could attend ekklesia and became jurors in helaea.

Zeugites Pre-Solon, citizens of moderate means (farmers). Solon's third census class of 200 measures of corn. Kleisthenes could be archons.

Timocracy Social class system based on wealth opposed to being based on birth

Oligarchy Ruling by the powerful few (aristocrats).

Eumonia Solon's aim, a reign of good order for all, not just one particular class.

Hektemoroi Indentured Serfs who gave 1/6th of their crop to who they were indebted to. Solon eradicated this class.

Heliaea The Ekklesia when in judicial function to act as a court. Checked on powers of the Council of the Areopagus for appeals.

Men of the Plain Lead by Lycurgus, wealthy farmers. Wanted oligarchy.

Men of the Coast Lead by Megacles, middle classes. Didn't like power of the archons.

Men of the Hill Lead by Peisistratus, poor farmers and urban dwellers. Wanted land and jobs.

594 BCE Year of Solon.

546 BCE Peisistratus takes power.

508 BCE Kleisthenes becomes leader of Athens.

Oikos Family group, immediate family and smallest tribe unit pre-Kleisthenes.

Genos Extended family, claimed decent from common ancestor.

Ostracism The process of temporarily exiling a person in Athens to decapitate powerful factions and to prevent tyranny. A quorum was needed to be reached for the ostracism to occur. Names were written on ostarkon.