DATA full set

In what year was Solon appointed archon in Athens and given license to rewrite the constitution?

594/3 BC

What does eunomia mean?

good order - it was the 'middle way' (T. Mitchell) that Solon sought when trying to mediate between the rich and the poor

What were Solon's legal reforms?

Introduction of the Heliaia law court.

Right of appeal when prosecuted

Public lawsuits

New laws in many areas, updated and built on legal code of Draco

Laws were inscribed on kyrbeis (rotating panels) displayed in the agora

What was the significance of the kyrbeis?

As they were displayed publicly, everyone could read, understand their rights, aristocrats couldn't abuse/make up laws

What changed with the introduction of public lawsuits?

any citizen could prosecute an offence on someone else's behalf (not just family) - encouraged comradery and looking after other citizens' rights

What changed with the introduction of the right to appeal?

citizens could appeal to jury of citizens when prosecuted - lower classes couldn't be unfairly sued by aristocrats

Heliaia created better justice system in Athens

all classes eligible for jury - allowed everyone participation in law enforcement

What were Solon's political reforms?

Rearranged class system

Class based on wealth rather than birth

Created Council of 400

Created Assembly

What was the Assembly and what was its significance?

Gathering where all citizens could attend, voice opinions, and vote on motions presented by council

It was consulted on most important matters of state - allowed all citizens chance to influence national policy

What were the limitations of the assembly under Solon?

Law making power remained with aristocrats in the archons and Council of the Areopagus

Controlled by aristocrats as council of 400 most likely made up of richer classes

What was Solon's Council of 400 and why did he introduce it (if he did)?

Made up of representatives from upper classes, 100 nominated from each of 4 tribes

Plutarch says it prepared agenda for Assembly, limited the Assembly's power, acted as rival power to Council of Areopagus

What were the names of the original classes and what did Solon change them to?

from eupatridai and hektomoroi to pentakosiomedimnoi, hippeis, zeugitai and thetes

Why were Solon's changes to the class system helpful?

It meant people could move up in class if they worked hard

created a meritocracy

Why did Solon's class system changes not solve the problems in Athens?

The poorest were still at the bottom so their economic position hardly changed

What were Solon's economic reforms?

Seisachtheia - 'shaking off of burdens'

Outlawed debt slavery of Athenian citizens

Only olive oil could be exported

Invited craftsmen to settle in Athens

Standardised all measurements to medimnoi (c. 55 litres)

Why was the introduction of standardised measurements beneficial?

It made trade easier with other city states

Avoided people cheating others

Why did Solon ban the export of any goods except olive oil?

Avoided food shortages and famine - eupatridai were likely selling excess grain abroad and leaving hektemoroi with nothing

Gave Athens a specialty in trade

What were the advantages of the seisachtheia?

all debts were cancelled - poor were no longer crushed under huge debts

removed boundary markers on land marking you as belonging to aristocrat - so abolished (Athenian) slave farms

Why was outlawing slavery of Athenian citizens beneficial?

All Athenians who had been sold into slavery were freed and reclaimed from being sold abroad - gave those trapped by debt another chance

restored their dignity with their rights of citizenship

Avoided a relapse into the former debt they had been in

Why did Solon encourage craftsmen to live in Athens?

Diversified Athens' workforce

Athenian commoners could learn different trades - gave people opportunities to become businessmen not just farmers and reliant on the land/likely to fall into debt

Increased inventory for Athens' export and thus enriched the economy

What were the disadvantages of the Seisachtheia?

There wasn't enough support put in place to help people get out of debt so poor still went back into debt

The rich suffered significant financial damage which angered them

'When people have the right to vote in courts they control the consitution'

- Aristotle, regarding the Heliaia

The best governed city is 'The city where those who have not been wronged show themselves just as ready to punish the offender as those who have.'

- Solon, Plutarch's Life of Solon, 18.5

How could you argue Solon is the father of democracy?

Created foundations for democracy through meritocracy - later reforms relied on Solon's fundamental developments

Legal system - introduced isonomia (everyone equal under the law) created comradery, inspired citizens to take interests in each others' rights through heliaia and right to appeal

Legislation and displayed laws on kyrbeis - more equal as poor people could understand laws and rights, aristocrats couldn't exploit them; reforms in many areas encouraged Athens to thrive; encouraged people to be politically active

Emphasised importance of law and order which were essential to the function of democracy

Reduced power of aristocrats by giving commoners right to appeal to Areopagus' decisions

Improved Athens economically, socially and legally, saving it from total collapse - later reforms could only be implemented as a result of this

Seisachtheia encouraged stability and hope for future

Changed class system = commoners had chance at getting involved in politics

Acted as mediator between aristocracy and commoners, maintaining peace

Created forum for discussion through assembly which introduced hints of isegoria (equal right to free speech)

How could you argue Solon is not the father of democracy?

Meritocracy didn't give much power to commoners - Areopagus still elected fellow aristocrats as archons

Didn't prevent return to tyranny (Pisistratids) - weak and unstable system

Most people unable to read/live far from agora so still don't understand laws

Divide between aristocracy and commoners remained - commoners too scared to challenge aristocrats in court

Solon's reforms focused more on wellbeing of citizens than political equality

Seisactheia resembled debt cancellations of other tyrants of the time - possibly more tyrannical in his regime (Kelcy Sagstetter)

What was the annual income (medimnoi) for the pentakosiomedimnoi?

500+

Which new class received 200-300 medimnoi per year?

zeugitai

Which new class received 300-500 medimnoi annually?

hippeis

What as the annual income (medimnoi) for the thetes?

200 or less

What year was Solon elected archon?

594/3 BC

Summarise Solon's legal reforms and their significance

Introduction of law courts - Heliaia.

Right of appeal - citizens could appeal to jury of citizens (all classes eligible for jury)

Public lawsuits - any citizen could prosecute an offence on someone else's behalf (not just family) - encouraged comradery and looking after other citizens' rights

New laws in many areas, updated and built on legal code of Draco

Laws were inscribed on kyrbeis (rotating panels) displayed in the agora - everyone could read, understand their rights, aristocrats couldn't abuse/make up law

Summarise Solon's economic reforms and their significance

Seisachtheia - 'shaking off of burdens' - all debts were cancelled - removed boundary markers on land marking you as belonging to aristocrat - abolished (Athenian) slave farms

Outlawed debt slavery of Athenian citizens - they couldn't be made slaves anymore

Only olive oil could be exported - no food shortages

Made it easier for commoners to learn different trades

Standardised all measurements to medimnoi (c. 55 litres) - made trade easier with other city states

Summarise Solon's political reforms and their significance

Rearranged class system from eupatridai and hektomoroi to pentakosiomedimnoi, hippeis, zeugitai and thetes

Class based on wealth rather than birth - this meant people could move up in class, created meritocracy

Created Council of 400 - representatives from upper classes, 100 from each of 4 tribes (Plutarch says meant to limit Assembly's power)

Created Assembly where all citizens could attend, voice opinions, vote on motion presented by council - was consulted on most important matters of state

What were Cleisthenes' main reforms? (6)

Boule, Assembly, Tribes, Demes, Ostracism and Generals (last two disputed - not necessarily Cleisthenes')

How were Cleisthenes' reforms not fully democratic?

Lower two classes (zeugitai and thetes) couldn't join the Boule

Upper classes still dominated law making - through archonship (still had lawmaking power), Council of Areopagus (held significant legislative powers and veto powers over Assembly's decisions), and Boule still only top classes

Only those wealthy enough to leave their job could participate in politics (in Boule and magistrate jobs) as they weren't paid

Women, foreigners and slaves couldn't participate in democracy

How did Cleisthenes lay the foundations for democracy in Athens?

Demes - allowed participation and practice at local level

Sortition - for Boule, made it random, no one man could dominate political limelight

Ostracism - allowed eradication of power-hungry individuals threatening a return to tyranny

Boule - allowed citizens of much larger demographic to have legislative power in Athens

Significance of Demes

People identified by deme not by father's name - removed class divides

Everyone was expected to vote in its assembly - gave them practice at democracy, got used to political involvement at local level, preparing them for national level

Helped democracy become more established and permeate into everyday life, ensuring democracy lasted and all people were immersed in it

Every class was part of them - no one excluded

Dealt with local issues locally so no need to take it to national courts

Broke up power of dominant aristocrats

Split up old rivalries

Limitations of demes

Demarch was elected - not totally democratic

Significance of tribes

Made up of 3 trittyes from coast, city and inland - made people associate with different people groups in demographic of Attica

Created comradery between people - forced people to collaborate with those not geographically near as they were the way citizens engaged with democracy (Michael Scott)

Broke up monopolies of aristocrats - they no longer held power over their local region

Got rid of old rivalries between aristocrats that caused regional factions

Provided system for providing soldiers to army and navy, members for Boule, boards of magistrates and law courts

Had their own treasury, elected officials and assembly

How were the new tribes named and why was this significant?

Named after 10 Eponymous Heroes of Athens

It gave people a role model and united the people under one name - inspired team spirit as competed in sport and music contests by tribe

What happened to the old tribal system and phratries and why was this a good move?

Replaced by new 10 tribes but remained with religious function

Not everything changed so more conservative Athenians still had familiarity

Limitations of new tribal system

Officials were elected - not fully democratic

Changed things a lot - conservative citizens must have found this disruptive and angering, particularly aristocratic families that previously held power in their region

Significance of Boule

Representation from every part of Attica as each tribe contributed 50 members

Top 3 classes could join - demos had opportunity to participate in national politics, commoners involved so it wasn't limited to aristocrats (who likely dominated Solon's council)

Members selected by sortition so no one could gain too much political power or hog roles

Acted as steering committee that maintained order in Assembly and avoided chaos of interruptions and outspoken people

Held significant power in what could be discussed in Assembly as prepared agenda - meant demos, not just aristocrats had opportunity to influence national decisions

Limitations of Boule

Thetes, lowest tribe, could not participate in Boule (not allowed and couldn't leave their livelihood anyway, as position not paid)

Significance of Ostracism

Gave demos the power to prevent a return to tyranny

Allowed eradication of power-hungry politicians so no one man could gain too much power

Even though the Assembly could be swayed by devious orators, even these demagogues were at the mercy of the demos' opinion and could be ostracised at any moment - so no one could hold sole power

Limitations of Ostracism

Open to abuse as ostraka could be prepared in advance to ensure a majority vote

Illiterate farmers were given them and encouraged to vote out a politician - unduly influenced

If man was calling for or against a particular matter, it automatically ensured the opposition won

Significance of Generals

One elected for each tribe by the tribe members - equal representation, stood as their chosen leader, gave citizens freedom to choose

People more likely to be loyal and positive towards their general because they chose him

Allowed equal coordination of military

People began to seek to be generals more than archons as they held more influence

Were elected in every year so had to keep their tribe happy in order to be reelected

Were experts in their field so possessed military experience required

Limitations of Generals

Generals were most powerful officials as elected - did allow charismatic leaders to emerge with a following

Were elected so not entirely democratic

What happened to the archons and Council of the Areopagus?

Nothing changed for them - still held legislative powers and law court

Good - power diminished as was given to Council of 500 and Assembly so aristocrats lost sole control over legislation

Took power from the few and gave it to the many

Bad - Areopagus still had veto power over assembly's decisions, and archons and Areopagus still had power to make laws - so significant power still remained in hands of wealthy and upper classes

How did Cleisthenes' changes benefit the Assembly (ekklesia)?

They were given more law-making power - since all citizens attending, gave demos huge power over national politics

Not just a place to discuss problems like under Solon

Limitations of the Assembly

Could be easily misled by demagogues and persuasive speakers

Their decisions depended on who turned up that day

Why was Cleisthenes' Assembly more democratic than Solon's?

Solon's Assembly probably limited in attendance during Peisistratid tyrannies as Pisistratus' investment in farmers' livelihoods kept them busy on their farms and away from Athens; they had no interest in politics nor voicing opinions nor questioning Pisistratus' and Hippias' rule for 50-odd years. Cleisthenes changed this - gave the poor access to political arena and real opportunities to participate in politics

Why was the victory at Marathon such an important occasion for Athens?

Proved the new democratic system inspired the people to fight for their freedom

How did Cleisthenes' reforms change the attitudes of citizens towards one another?

Made the ideological leap from the idea of aristocratic supremacy to the right to power being for all citizens, not just the 'privileged few'.

Aristocrats no longer given the main power in politics just because they were of noble birth and elite in education - thus the ideologies of Athens' constitution were dramatically changed

J. Thorley details that the number of demes within a trittys varied significantly, depending on the population size of a deme (if it was large, fewer demes). Why was this significant?

Cleisthenes adjusted the number of demes within a trittys according to population size, to make sure that each trittys (and thus tribe) had equal representation of Attica's population

metics

foreigners, often craftsmen and merchants, living in Athens, who were not citizens, so couldn't participate in the government, but paid taxes

quorum

minimum number of votes needed for an ostracism to count, which was 6,000

isēgoria

'the equal right to speech', referring to every Athenian citizen's right to speak in the assembly

isonomia

'equality under the law', referring to how every Athenian citizen was treated equally by the law, regardless of class, family or tribe

What year did Athens reform archonship to be selected by lot?

487/6 BC

What were the two main consequences of selecting archons by lot?

Generals became the most powerful politicians in the city, so people seek to be generals more than other roles. 2) The council of Areopagus diversified over time, as introduced ex-archons from hippeis

What was discovered in Laureion (southern Attica) in 483/2?

Seams of silver, which greatly enriched them

What did the Athenians do with their discovery?

Themistocles convinced the demos to invest the new riches in building an armada of triremes, 200 ships strong, which helped them win the Persian wars

Why did winning the Persians wars empower the thetes?

It gave them a strong sense of their power in the city, since they were the ones rowing the ships which helped them win the war. Essentially, Athens' victory was won by the poor people

What did the Old Oligarch say about the new power of the thetes?

That the power the poor people have in Athens is well-deserved and it makes sense that they participate in politics because they are the ones who give Athens its power by winning the wars

What possible reasons did the Athenians decide to introduce archons' selection by lot, not election?

1) To stop aristocratic families monopolising Athens' main roles and holding all the power.

2) To give the generals more power than the archons - since the generals are the only elected officials now, they have more support from those who vote for them. All citizens vote for their tribe's general - so they have loyalty from the whole of Attica, not just the wealthy Areopagus members.

3) Themistocles persuaded the demos to change it, with support from the hippeis (who would get a chance to hold archonship) and to keep younger rivals out of the Areopagus.

4) To avoid a clash between the generals and the archons.

5) To aid the military.

6) To make archonship more democratic, as the Athenians saw sortition as democratic.

Give two reasons that non-aristocratic Athenians had a problem with the Areopagus.

1) Membership was exclusive, since archons were elected by members already on the council.

2) Many council members wanted to return to tyranny and were still pro-Peisistratid, and still had power to counter decision made by the ecclesia.

Which groups were most supportive of archonship selection by lot?

Less prominent hippeis and pentakosiomedimnoi, who never got a chance for archonship (as they were elected by members already on the council)

Who was the first person to be ostracised, and what happened as a result?

Hipparchus. who was trying to stop the reform of selecting archonship by lot. When he was gone, pro-sortition members of the Areopagus voted in an archon who passed the reform.

What year did the Regent Pausanias finally drive the Persians out of Greece in the battle of Plataea?

479/8 BC

Between which years did the Ionian cities rebel against Persian rule?

499/8-494/3 BC

In which year, and which battle, did the Athenians first fight against the Persians, suffering only 192 losses?

490 BC in the battle of Marathon.

In what year was the Battle of Salamis, and who was the Athenian admiral?

480 BC. Themistocles.

Which battle was famous for King Leonidas' sacrifice, and when was it fought?

The battle of the 300 at Thermopylae, in 480 BC.

In what year was Solon appointed archon in Athens and given license to rewrite the constitution?

594/3 BC

What was the name of Solon's debt reform and what did it entail?

The seisachtheia: 'the shaking off of burdens'. All previous debts were cancelled.

When and where did the allied Greeks win the decisive victory over Persia that ended the Persian War?

Plateaea, spring 479 BC

What happened in the aftermath of the Persian War (479/8-477/6)?

Allied Greeks continued to campaign overseas, headed by Spartan troops, to free their fellow Greek settlements in Asia Minor that had been taken over by the Persians. By Spring 477BC, Sparta withdrew from this, leaving the Athenians as the leading power against Persia.

What connected the Greeks of Asia Minor and the Athenians?

They shared Ionian heritage

What was the Delian League and when was it formed?

An alliance between Athens and other Greek city states (excluding Sparta) against the Persians, where cities contributed to the collective navy with ships or funds. Formed in 477 BC.

Why was the treasury of the Delian League stored on Delos?

It was a center of Ionian Greek cult, so neutral ground because they all shared Ionian heritage

In the 460s two cities tried to leave the Delian League. Which cities? Why did they try to leave, and what happened?

Thasos and Naxos, because Persian threat was no longer severe as Greeks had crushed Persians at Eurymedon. However Athens attacked them, destroying their walls so they were defenceless, and refused their exit from the league.

What did Athens do to Thasos between 465-463BC?

Thasos tried to retain control of mines in northern Aegean region, which Athens disputed was theirs. Athens blockaded and reduced Thasos.

What year did Athens abandon its alliance with Sparta against Persia and instead ally with Argos (Sparta's enemy) and Thessaly?

462/1 BC

Why did Athens abandon its alliance with Sparta?

Cimon persuaded demos to send troops to help Sparta conquer a slave revolt but Sparta refused their help, an embarrassing and major snub.

What year was Cimon ostracised and why?

461BC. Athens was angry at Sparta's refusing their help and blamed Cimon for persuading the demos to send troops.

When did Athens launch an expedition to Egypt (which was in revolt from Persia)? What year did it end in disaster?

Launched 460 BC, failed by 454 BC

In which year was the Delian League treasury moved from Delos to Athens, and what message did this convey?

454/3 BC. This demonstrated Athenian dominance in the League, essentially making it the Athenian Empire.

What effect did Pericles' proposed reform on citizenship being restricted to those with Athenian fathers and mothers have on Athens' aristocracy? What year did he propose it?

It prevented many aristocrats from being citizens and limited the common aristocratic practice of marrying sons to wealthy non-Athenians and making friends outside Athens. 451/0 BC

What benefits did the Athenians gain from moving the Delian League treasury to Athens and establishing an empire?

1) The money paid war expenses.

2) The treasury funded the renovation of the Athenian Acropolis.

3) The money was used to start paying magistrates in Athenian government.

4) Athens could control the trade routes in the Aegean Sea, and taxed all goods passing through their harbour.

5) Many people moved to Athens to become metics.

What was a Cleruchy and how did they help establish Athenian dominance in Greece?

A settlement of Athenian citizens (normally thetes) sent to dominate local people of an allied city when they revolted. They threw local people off their land and it was reassigned to citizens who acted as an Athenian presence in the area.

Why were the metics important to Athens?

They paid their Athenian patron monthly tax, had to fight for Athens in war (though didn't hold rights of citizenship), and brought industry to Athens which increased trade and economic wealth.

What was the rule for trials of capital cases in allied cities, and how did this benefit Athens?

Allied cities' capital case trials had to be held in Athenians courts. This brought many visitors and thus more money to Athens. Athens also could encourage democratic systems in allied cities and could prosecute anyone opposing Athenian interests in these cities.

In what year was Pericles first elected general in Greece?

454 BC

Between what years did Pericles hold the post of general for 15 consecutive years?

443 BC- 429 BC

What was the reform on archonship that was introduced to the democratic system in during the time of Pericles, and what year did it come into effect?

Archonship was opened up to the zeugitai, and in practice, to all classes; 457/6 BC

When did archons begin to be elected by sortition and how did this benefit democracy?

487/486BC. It meant aristocrats could no longer monopolise archonship roles (as previously voted in by contacts and friends in Areopagus)

Why was sortition more democratic?

Not swayed by public opinion or majority - gave everyone equal chance to hold political power so one group didn't dominate political field

What year did Ephialtes reform archonship and what was the change?

In 462/1, he removed legislative power from archons and Areopagus

What reform was introduced for all citizens in political roles, and why was it significant? In what decade was it introduced?

Those in the Boule, law courts, archonship and lesser magistrates could be paid (from Delian League treasury). Now poorer citizens could be fully involved in democracy.

Late 450s BC

What were the reforms on citizenship introduced by Pericles, and when?

Only those who were legitimate sons of parents who were both Athenian could be citizens, because citizenship was highly prized now.

451/0 BC