The Emergence and Operation of Athenian Democracy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the geography, social structure, political reforms, and decline of Athenian democracy based on the lecture notes.

Polis

A city-state consisting of a city center and the surrounding countryside, representing a community of citizens.

Aristocrats

The 'best' ($aristoi$); a high-ranking social layer in a polis boasting noble birth and owning large estates.

Demos

The common people who were not of aristocratic birth but possessed citizenship rights, including merchants, craftsmen, and farmers.

Aristocratic Republic

A form of government where decisions are made by a collective body and officials are elected rather than inheriting their positions.

Archon

The highest official dignity in Athens, initially held only by aristocrats.

Greek Colonization

The process between the 8th and 6th centuries BC where overpopulation led Greeks to found colony cities across the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.

Cleisthenes

Athenian leader who came to power in $508$ BC and reorganized citizens into groups based on territorial residence rather than lineage or wealth.

Phyle

The ten administrative and military units of Athens, each composed of one urban, one coastal, and one inland district.

Boule (Council of 500)

The law-preparing body that decided which proposals would be put before the assembly for a vote.

Ecclesia (Assembly)

The legislative body where every citizen could participate, vote on laws, and decide on matters of war and peace.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens personally participate in decision-making rather than electing representatives to legislate for them.

Idiotēs

A derogatory term used for Athenian citizens who withdrew from public affairs and did not participate in community matters.

Strategos

Military leaders (ten in total) who were elected due to their expertise; they became the actual leaders of the Athenian state.

Ostracism (Ostrakiszmosz)

A 'potsherd voting' system used to exile politicians suspected of striving for tyranny for ten years.

Phalanx

A dense, closed military formation of heavy-armed infantry used by ancient Greeks in close-quarters combat.

Pericles

The most influential politician of Athens' golden age, who served as strategos for 15 consecutive years ($444-429$ BC).

Drawing lots (Sorsol%C3%A1s)

The method used to fill most offices (including archons) to ensure every citizen had an equal chance to hold office regardless of wealth.

Daily Allowance (Napid%C3%ADj)

Payment introduced for jury duty and theater visits to enable poorer citizens to participate in public life.

Delian League

An Athens-led alliance originally formed against the Persians; its members' taxes eventually funded Athenian projects like the Acropolis.

Metoikos

Foreigners who settled permanently in Athens but did not have the right to participate in political affairs.

Peloponnesian War

A conflict from $431-404$ BC between Athens and Sparta that resulted in the collapse of the Athenian alliance system.

Philip II (II. Philipposz)

The Macedonian ruler who united the majority of Greek poleis under his rule in the mid-4th century BC.