Athenian Society HSC Ancient History — Section I Notes

A Comprehensive collection of vocabulary cards covering Athenian social structure, military, democracy, economy, and religion as detailed in the HSC Ancient History notes.

Synoecism

The process by which the separate tribes and communities of Attica gradually integrated into a single polis of Athens over time.

Solonian Constitution

The legal reforms introduced by Solon (c. 630–560 BCE) which replaced Draco's harsh laws and divided citizens by wealth rather than birth.

Pentakosiomedimnoi

The highest Solonic social class, valued at $500+$ medimnoi of produce annually; they were eligible to serve as strategoi.

Hippeis

The second Solonic social class, valued at $300+$ medimnoi annually; wealthy enough to own a horse and serve in the cavalry.

Zeugitai

The third Solonic social class, valued at $200+$ medimnoi annually; wealthy enough to equip themselves as hoplite infantry.

Thetes

The lowest Solonic social class, valued under $199$ medimnoi; manual workers who served as rowers or light-armed auxiliaries.

Timocracy

A system of government where power and office-holding are determined by wealth or property ownership rather than birth.

Polis

A self-governing city-state consisting of an urbanized center and surrounding territory, with a shared culture, legend, and identity.

Citizenship Decree (451/450 BCE)

A law passed by Pericles restricting Athenian citizenship to individuals whose parents on both sides were Athenians.

Hoplites

Well-off citizen-soldiers who served as heavy infantry, armed primarily with spears, bronze helmets (such as the Corinthian style), and shields.

Phalanx

A military formation where hoplites fought in ranks eight or more deep, with each man's shield partly protecting the soldier to his left.

Panoply

The full suit of armor for a hoplite, which the citizen was required to pay for personally.

Trireme

An oar-powered warship with three levels of oars and approximately $170$ oarsmen, serving as the dominant vessel of the Athenian navy.

Strategos

A military commander or general; ten were elected annually (one per tribe) and they became de facto leaders because they were chosen for popularity rather than by lot.

Thalassocracy

'Rule of the sea'; a term used to describe Athenian naval dominance in the Aegean.

Metics

Resident foreigners living in Athens who could work and own property but were excluded from voting and holding public office.

Metoikion

An annual tax paid by metics, amounting to $12$ drachmas for men and $6$ drachmas for women.

Ekklesia

The Citizens' Assembly where all adult male citizens could vote on laws, war, and public officials; it met at the Pnyx approximately $40$ times a year.

Boule

The Council of $500$, consisting of $50$ men per tribe chosen by lot for one-year terms; they handled daily government business and set the agenda for the Ekklesia.

Heliaia

The supreme court of Athens where large juries (up to $6,000$ people) chosen by lot decided guilt and punishment.

Kleroterion

An allotment machine used to select jurors randomly for the law courts to ensure democratic fairness.

Klepsydra

A water clock used in Athenian courts and the Assembly to time speeches and ensure equal speaking time for all parties.

Ostracism

A democratic process where the Assembly could vote to exile a citizen for ten years; it required a quorum of at least $6,000$ participants.

Radical Democracy

A form of government under Pericles where citizens were paid for political participation, allowing the poor thetes to take part in the Ekklesia and courts.

Agora

The central commercial, political, and social hub of Athens, housing the mint, government buildings like the Tholos, and markets.

Piraeus

Athens' main port and naval center, which was heavily fortified and connected to the city via the Long Walls.

Pentekoste

A commercial tax of 2\text{%} levied on all cargo entering or leaving the port of Piraeus.

Delian League

A defensive alliance of Greek states led by Athens, which eventually transformed into the Athenian Empire after the treasury was moved from Delos to Athens in $c. 454$ BCE.

Tetradrachm

The standard Athenian silver coin, often called 'owls,' worth roughly a day's minimum wage.

Parthenon

A Doric temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena Parthenos; it functioned as a place of worship and an imperial treasury.

Erechtheion

A temple on the Acropolis famous for the 'Porch of the Caryatids' and for housing the ancient olive-wood statue of Athena.

Thesmophoria

A three-day religious festival dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, open only to married women and intended to promote fertility.

Panathenaia

The city's most important festival, celebrating Athena's birthday with a great procession, animal sacrifices, and athletic and musical contests.

Miasma

A concept of ritual pollution or 'defilement' associated with death, which required survivors to undergo purification rituals and wash with salt water.

Dexiosis

A motif found on grave stelae depicting a final handshake, symbolizing a permanent family bond and the theme of farewell.

Symposium

A male-only drinking party that served as a key social activity for citizens, featuring music, entertainment, and philosophical discussion.

Sophists

Professional teachers of 'wisdom' and rhetoric who charged fees to instruct wealthy families in the art of debate and inquiry.

Stoicism

A philosophical school that originated from teachers lecturing in the stoas (colonnades) of the Athenian Agora.