Athens
| united since Mycenaean times |
| collection of villages until end of 7th c |
| until mid 5th c, 2/3 lived in country and towns |
| only members of aristocratic families could participate |
| aristocrats ruled for the sake of their oikoi |
| vacuum at center enabled lower classes to gain some power |
| mediators needed to avoid civil war |
| eunomia 'right order' had to be based on status quo |
| elected chief archon 594 w/ unlimited power |
| attempted to restore eunomia through reforms |
| 1. replaced birth qualification w/ property qualifications |
| 2. created council of 400 |
| which now elected archons |
| 3. all citizens admitted to the assembly |
| Solon's unjustified confidence in aristocrats |
| Solon refused to become a tyrant and resigned |
| thus ensuring success in the long run |
| rule largely beneficial, e.g. |
| established circuit judges |
| expanded the City, or Great, Dionysian festival |
| beginning of dramatic contests |
| succeeded by his sons Hipparchos and Hippias |
| irony: the more they promoted the citizen's well-being, |
| the more they undermined their own power |
| "tyrannicide": death of Hipparchos |
Cleisthenes, father of Athenian democracy |
| Delphic oracle and overthrow of Hippias by Sparta in 510 |
| Cleisthenes defeated in election for chief archon in 508 |
| proposed key reforms anyway |
| reorganization of the tribes from 4 to 10 |
| reduction of regional domination |
| assignment of fictive ancestors! |
| establishment of the council of 500 |
| reduced the power of the Areopagus |
| but it still played a key advisory role |
| assembly of citizens becomes sole legislative body |
| aristocratic backlash with Spartan help |
| Cleisthenes and supporters flee |
| attempt to establish an oligarchy of 300 aristocrats |
| citizens taking responsibility for the polis |
| the forging of a political identity |
| consolidation of middle and lower classes achieved under tyranny |
| the remarkable political commitment of the middle class |
| political involvement an end in itself |
| viewed themselves primarily as citizens |
| did not act in the interest of their oikoi |
First Persian invasion of Greece |
| Battle of Marathon, 490 BCE |
| Athenian army of hoplites ('citizen soldiers') defeats Persians |
The Great Invasion, 481 BCE |
| Greek League: Sparta chosen leader |
| but Athenian navy major seapower |
| Themistocles and the Athenian navy |
| defeat and retreat of Persian fleet |
| heavier Greek triremes overwhelmed lighter Persian boats |
| lowest classes, the thetes needed as rowers |
| role brought them political power |
| final defeat of Persians in Greece |
Curbing the The Areopagus |
| Power of Areopagus sharply curtailed in 561 BCE |
| assembly had been following advice of the Areopagus |
| reformers lead by Ephialtes |
| Cimon, the conservative leader was away in Sparta |
| supervision over religious matters |
| reformers claimed it was restored to its original powers |
| an example of inovation cloaked as tradition |
| identified completely with democracy |
| most powerful man in Athens from c. 452-428 |
| who believed nous, mind to be the central force of the universe |
| Pericles believed Athens should be governed by nous |
Source of Pericles' power and influence |
| possessed no special political or civil authority |
| gave orders only on military campaigns |
| influence based entirely on his ability to persuade his fellow citizens to follow his advice |
| abolishment of nearly all property qualifications |
| citizenship restricted even more |
Direct and full sovereignty of majority of citizens |
| ekklesia 'assembly' at the Pnyx |
| all legislation debated and voted on here |
| 5 to 6,000 usually attended |
| prepared legislation for assembly |
| Pericles: elected 15 yrs. in a row, 30 yrs. in all |
| Social and economic equality among most citizens |
| Most people possessed only barest essentials |
| few comforts and luxuries |
| Goal: a reasonable income from a small farm or business, leaving time for: |
| gossip and debate in the agora |
| intellectual and artistic activities |
Athens in the fifth century |
| Apex of political greatness |
| Architecture and Sculpture: the Acropolis and the Parthenon |
| Investment in glory (kleos) and honor |
| Images used as an educational program |
| subsidized by revenues from the Delian League |
| Herodotus 'father of history' |
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