ESSAY- what were the developments in the Athenian democracy and why?
By 454BC Athens had discontinued meetings of the delian league in the island of Delos. The treasury had
been removed from safekeeping to Athens and the threat of Persian aggression had considerably diminished.
The consolidation of Athenian dominance of the league earmarked the transformation of the delian league into
the Athenian democracy. The development of democracy in Athens aimed to distribute power in the
population and give all people a greater input into the election and ostracism of the people in power.
In the late 6th century the Athenian statesman kleisthenes made major changes to the Athenian system of
government. The area of Athens and Attica had previously been divided into four tribes. Government and
public life were controlled by the aristocratic families. Kleisthenes reforms attempted to break this
stranglehold by dividing Attica into 139 demes. He then organized ten new tribes, each consisting of several
demes. The council was enlarged from 400-500 members. The method of selection was by lot and fifty
members from each tribe were elected into the council. The ekklesia acquired wider powers, thus giving more
power to the citizens as opposed to the aristocracy. Athenian democracy was later developed by remolding the
isonomia (equality before the law) of kleisthenes.
In about 500BC, ten strategos were elected annually, therefore a role where position, skill, experience and
popularity mattered. About 487BC it was determined that the office of archon, hitherto a position selected by
popular vote, should now be determined by lot. This method of sortition inevitably lessened the prestige of the
office, and the popularity elected strategos eventually assumed the prestige formerly held by the office of
archon. By the time of Pericles, the strategos was the most important office in the democratic structure. There
were radical changes made to the Athenian constitution by Kleisthenes in the 6th century BC. The old
aristocracy had monopolised the political system in Athens, the objective of the changes were to give all
Athenians a part in the election of local and state officials and were a step towards representative government.
Athens was greatly affected by the Persian wars and the aftermath of those wars. Significant changes were
made to internal government in Athens. The changes that took place in 500-450 were part of the
democratization process, but also a response to the Persian wars and as consequences of the growing
imperialism of Athens. The political changes that occurred in this period. In the first half of the 5 th century,
Athens developed from land power to become the leading maritime state in Greece. Simultaneously, Athens
underwent major political changes that revolutionized and transformed the state from a moderate to radical
democracy. Men in Athens became conspicuous in Athenian political life through their social and familial
reputation. However changes occurred where Athens became more democratic with the introduction of a
system of changes that allowed greater participation by ordinary citizens. This is referred to as radical
democracy. A significant change had occurred during the Persian wars. It became clear that political power
laid with the class best able to defend the state. The navy was successful in the Persian wars and the thetes
demanded greater political power, which led to radical democracy. Throughout the fifth century Themistocles
helped Athens developed a large maritime empire based on trade, which gave the navy and himself a lot of
power.
Supporters of radical democracy include Ephialties, who made various changes to the democratic position of
Athens. He removed the influence of the Areopagus, “…they deprived the Areopagus of all but a few of
the issues which had been under its jurisdiction. He accused and impeached individual Areopagites for
corruption and fraudulent practices. They lost the Power to punish magistrates for misconduct Power to
supervise the administration of the state. Duty of seeing laws were obeyed. Right to investigate the lives of
private citizens. These powers were transferred to the Boule, Ecclesia and Heliaea. Functions retained by the
Areopagus were: Jurisdiction over cases of intentional homicide Supervision of religious ceremonies.
Ephialties reforms gave more control of the state to the masses and earned him the ire of aristocrats. He was
assassinated- unsure whether he wanted to make more reforms or not.
Pericles also supported radical democracy. According to Aristotle he introduced three primary reforms into
Athens, “Pericles was the first to introduce payment for services on the law courts”, Reduced the power
of the Areopagus further – introducing limiting reforms that allowed people more freedom. “The constitution
became even more democratic. He took away some of the powers of the Areopagus and, what is more
important, he turned Athens definitely towards its sea power” –Aristotle
Confusion had arisen about powers of the archons. In 501BC the strategos had taken some of the archons
functions. The battle of marathon demonstrated the ambiguity surrounding the relationship between the
archon and the strategos. Callimachus the pole march was technically in charge but the strategos Miltiades
had been elected by popular vote due to his military background. The change of archonship gave the ekklesia
more control over the army. Athens underwent major political changes that revolutionised and transformed
the state from a moderate to a radical democracy. 462 BC Ephialties pushed a law that deprived the
Areopagus of all its functions save that of being a court for homicide. The archons became answerable to the
Boule, not the Areopagus. 458 BC Archonship became a paid office, 457 BC the hoplites were admitted to
the archonship, sometime after the thetes were also admitted. Democratic move to allow poorer citizens and
the elderly to participate. These reforms had all been designed to end the aristocratic rule in Athens. Athenian
democracy depended on aristocratic leadership. The office of strategos became the most important military
and political position, for the generals gained the command of the fleet and the army. After the formation of
the Delian League the strategos were also the commanders of the military and naval forces of the League. By
decreasing the importance of the archons, this law also devalued the role of the aristocratic council of the
Areopagus. With the hoplites and thetes now competing for the archonship, there was an increased
opportunity for Athenians to participate and fewer distinguished men being chosen. “The military offices can
be held repeatedly, but none of the others can, with the exception of Council members who can belong to the
Council twice – aristotle.
Athenian democracy (democratia) allowed all adult male citizens to propose legislation, debate and vote and
stand for office. Most official positions were determined by lot. The generals (chief magistrates) were elected
by the citizens and the People’s courts had almost total jurisdiction. Factions of Athenian Democracy
included the Assembly: Ecclesia (meetings of all male citizens over 18. Met about 40 times a year) Passed
legislation, elected magistrates, empowered and heard reports of strategos. Boule: Council of 500 (over 30
years; 50 citizens per tribe) Drafted bills, supervised strategoi elections, inspected cavalry and naval ships,
tried magistrates, heard some criminal trials. Strategoi: 10 ‘Generals’ (military/naval commanders; convened
assembly; voted in) Could conduct preliminary negotiations with foreign states. Were responsible to the
Ecclesia. Archons: Like magistrates (first two classes only initially; nine; paid, various roles changes)
Administrative only. Areopagus: Ex-archons (Membership for life) Heard homicide/arson cases, cared for
olive groves, could call magistrates to account for illegal acts. 461 - Graph paranomen (Ephialtes), Introduced
law to enable any citizen to be questioned when they introduced a measure than was in conflict with existing
law, The person bringing up graph paranomen would be rewarded and mover of unconstitutional proposal
would be fined, However, if the graph paranomen did not get at least 1/5 of the votes, they would be fined
1000 drachmas and loose civic rights. 451 - Laws restricting citizenship (Pericles), Only people who’s parents
were both Athenian citizens were considered citizens - Reduced citizen numbers, Pericles gained popularity –
Athenians felt part of an exclusive club
Another element in widening the democracy was the introduction of rotation of office, so that politicians
could not hold office continuously and could not become dependant on state pay. According to Aristotle’s, no
one could hold the same office twice except for the generals and the members of boule; ‘the military offices
can be held repeatable, but none of the others can, with the exception of council members who can belong to
council twice. The principle of selection by lot and rotation of office ensured that a representative cross
section of the citizen took part in the government. This practice of rotation of office can be seen in operation
at the battle of marathon, ‘the generals held the presiding position in succession, each for day, and those of
them who had voted with Miltiades, offered, when their turn for duty came, to surrender it to him’.
Ostracism - “this law had been enacted because of their suspicion of those in power…” –Aristotle as well
as Plutarch belief that it was an attempt to keep people humble. “Each voter took an ostrakon, or piece of
earthware, wrote on it the name of the citizen he wished to be banished and carried it to a part of the
market place” – Plutarch. An institution where any Athenian who was regarded as too powerful/dangerous
was sent into exile for ten years (though his family stayed and property remained un-confiscated. People were
asked in the assembly if they wanted an ostracism to be held- if the answer was positive it would be enacted
later. Ostraka (broken shard of pottery) had written on them the name of the person who should be ostracised.
6000 citizens needed to vote for a person for the ostracism to be enacted. Hignett suggests Themistocles was
the originator of ostracism law because he used it to eliminate his opponents (Ostracism was a means of
offered the people a choice between their leaders). It was used by Athenian leaders to “rid themselves of their
political opponents”. This Reveals importance of political leaders, and that politics was driven by
personalities. The major change that occurred in 488/7 BC was the use of ostracism. The source conflict about
who was responsible for formulation ostracism law. Shows how politics was driven by personalities.