Radical Reformers - Ephialtes and Pericles

What was Ephialtes main reform?

* Reducing the powers of the Council of the Areopagus
* Making it so they only have power over murder trials and sacrilege
* Their other powers transferred to the Law courts, Boule and Assembly

What was the effect of Ephialtes reforms?

* It weakened the powers of the Areopagus that was largely made up of the lite
* Distributed the powers amongst other democratic institutions - marked the beginning of radical democracy

When did Ephialtes introduce his reforms?

461 BC

Who was Pericles?

* He was a politician who had previously been a general elected for 15 consecutive years
* He takes over leadership of the radical democrats after the death of Ephialtes

How did Pericles reform archonship?

* He opened archonship up to the zeugitai and technically the thetes are able to hold office now

When did Pericles introduce payment for government roles and what effect did it have?

* 450s BC
* It allowed poorer citizens access to democracy because they could afford to give up their time

How did Pericles reform citizenship in 451?

* Citizens had to have an Athenian mother and father
* Intended to prevent population growth

How did Pericles reform the economy?

* He put the Delian League’s treasury funds into a beautification project for Athens

What was Pericles intentions through his series of reforms?

* He wanted to promote the position of the demos
* He viewed the demos as an untapped power and thought a better demos meant a better military