The Rise of Democracy in Athens Study Notes

Key Question: How did democracy arise in Athens and how was it practiced by its citizens?

Polis: Refers to the city-state in ancient Greece, including its surrounding territory.
Types of Governance:
- Tyranny: Rule by a single individual.
- Oligarchy: Governance by a select few, often based on wealth or aristocratic lineage.
- Democracy: Derived from the Greek term demokratia, which translates to "the power of the people".
- Demos: Refers to the citizens of a state, particularly focusing on free-born men in Athens with Athenian parentage.

Innovations in Theater:
- Introduction of a three-act structure.
- Use of the chorus in performances.
- Employment of masked performers.
Role of Theater in Athenian Democracy:
- Provided a shared cultural experience and fostered civic life.
- Attracted audiences of up to 14,000 people.
- Served as a platform for discussing civic virtue and governance issues.
- Encouraged public reflection on societal structures and the role of citizens.

Plot Summary:
- The narrative centers on fifty women known as the Danaids fleeing forced marriages in Egypt.
- They plead for divine protection and seek asylum in Argos.
- The king of Argos faces a dilemma: return them to Egypt or grant them sanctuary risking war.
- Ultimately, the decision rests with the citizens, who choose to offer refuge.

Connecting citizenship to warfare. These are people who have state in their civilization.

Factors Contributing to the Development of Democracy:
- The Bronze Age Collapse: Societal shifts lead to new governance structures.
- Expansion of Trade: Increased interaction and economic activity fostered new political ideas.
- Development of Writing: Facilitated communication and governance.
- Presence of a Large Yeomanry: A class of sufficient wealth and military service exemplified by hoplite warfare.

Influences:
- Greek and Phoenician Colonization: Establishment of trade routes and new settlements influenced Greek expansion and cultural integration.
- Mention of various groups such as Iberians, Celts, Libyans, Scythians, and Etruscans signifies the complex interactions in the Mediterranean world.

Social Hierarchy:
- Thetes: Hired laborers and rowers in the navy.
- Zeugitai: Lower class free men eligible for military service as hoplites.
- Hippeis: Wealthy horsemen or cavalry members.
- Pentakosiodimnoi: Citizens owning at least 500 bushels of grain who held significant political power.

The Battle of Salamis (480 BC):
- Victory of the Athenian navy over the Persians, showcasing the collective military strength that supported Athenian democracy.
- Triremes: Advanced warships that played a crucial role in naval engagements.
Ephialtic Reforms (461-460 BC):
- Stripped the Areopagus council of its authority, enabling broader political participation.
- Allowed Thetes (lower class citizens) to hold political office.
- Provided payment for public officials, thereby increasing accessibility of political roles to the less privileged.(because poor people couldn't afford to do so)
- Established systems of poor relief to support the lower class citizens.

Social Conflicts:
- Turmoil among elite families vying for political control within the oligarchy.
- Economic struggles impacting poorer Athenians, leading to loss of property and potential enslavement due to debt. (Poor farmers in Athens were so deep into debt that they had to sell themselves into slave labor. )

Background: Born to a wealthy family; gained wealth as a merchant.
Historic Actions:
- Noted for his political activities, including efforts to reclaim Salamis.
- Elected as Archon in 594 BC with a mandate to reconcile societal divisions.
- Departed Athens for a decade post-reforms to demonstrate impartiality. He left because it he stayed people would accuse him of stacking the debt for himself

Abolished debt slavery for citizens.
Restored communal lands; however, did not redistribute private property. ( Wants to restore the old heiarchy)
Permitted foreign merchants to settle and acquire Athenian citizenship.
Promoted the export of olive oil, restricting wheat exports to safeguard against famine.

Expanded access to the Assembly, allowing even the poorest citizens to attend.
However, poor citizens were still prohibited from holding office.
Reorganized citizen classes based on wealth instead of birth rights.
Maintained oligarchic control over key political offices and courts.

Solon gained heroic status, evident in a cult that formed around him due to his reforms.
His laws formed the foundation of Athenian law lasting for centuries.
Cleisthenes later built upon Solon’s framework, promoting equality and broader participation.

Background: A member of the nobility exiled due to political instability.
Returned to Athens post-tyrant era, aiming to diminish aristocratic influence and create a more stable society.

Demes: Cleisthenes divided Athens into over a hundred districts (demes) for citizenship registration.
- Citizen identity became associated with one's deme rather than paternal lineage.(to establish the thought of a political unit over family.)

Tribal Organization: Cleisthenes restructured the citizen body into ten tribes combining individuals from diverse regions (hills, shores, city).
Redefining what it means to be a citizen of Athens.

Assembly: All male citizens had the right to vote and speak; assembly members chosen by lot with term limits.
Council of 500: Citizens could argue cases without lawyers; juries made decisions by lot. (Serve for 1 year no person could serve more than 2 times in your life time)

Significance: The practice of ostracism allowed the assembly to vote on the exile of unwelcome figures, showcasing democratic checks on power.
Themistocles :