Dēmos · Classical Athenian Democracy · a Stoa Publication
[ link colors: Demos | External Source | Citation to Evidence| Word Tools ]
Christopher W. Blackwell, edition of January 24, 2003
page 6 of 7
The
Read about the evidence
Aristotle (Aristot. Ath. Pol.).
First was the generalship of Pericles. The office of “General”, or Strategos (στρατηγός), was one of the few in the Athenian democracy that was elected, rather than chosen randomly by lot; the reasons for this should be obvious (Aristot. Ath. Pol. 44.4). It was also the only office which an Athenian could hold for multiple successive terms. And, the Generals—there were ten in each year—enjoyed certain powers that made this office (at least potentially) a platform from which an Athenian could wield extraordinary influence over the affairs and policies of the city. A general could introduce business for discussion in a meeting of the Assembly on his own authority, without going through normal channels (the evidence for this comes from inscriptions: SEG 10 86.47; IG II2 27; the “normal channels” are discussed below).
Pericles was elected repeatedly to the office of Strategos during the period from
Read about the evidence
Thucydides (Thuc.).
Plot on a Map
Sparta.
The historian Thucydides, himself an Athenian General who helped pursue the war against Sparta, offers this characterization of Pericles’ leadership: “Pericles indeed, by his rank, ability, and known integrity, was enabled to exercise an independent control over the Demos—in short, to lead them instead of being led by them; for as he never sought power by improper means, he was never compelled to flatter them, but, on the contrary, enjoyed so high an estimation that he could afford to anger them by contradiction. Whenever he saw them unseasonably and insolently elated, he would with a word reduce them to alarm; on the other hand, if they fell victims to a panic, he could at once restore them to confidence. In short, what was nominally a democracy became in his hands government by the first citizen.” (Thuc. 2.65.8-9). What is most important to remember, though, is that Pericles was merely one of ten elected Generals. His “policies” came into effect merely because his office afforded him a platform from which to address the Demos, and his evident talents as a speaker allowed him to persuade the Demos to adopt his ideas as their own.
Read about the evidence
Thucydides (Thuc.).
Plot on a Map
Sparta.
Athens.
Sicily.
Syracuse.
In
Read about the evidence
Thucydides (Thuc.).
Aristotle (Aristot. Ath. Pol.).
Plot on a Map
Athens.
Shortly thereafter, in
Read about the evidence
Thucydides (Thuc.).
Aristotle (Aristot. Ath. Pol.).
These Commissioners proposed a new Council, consisting of 400 men, with service limited to the wealthier citizens. Five men would be selected as “Presidents”, and these would choose 100 men for the new Council, and each of those 100 would choose three others, thus creating the Council of “400”, or 405 in reality (Thuc. 8.67.3; Aristot. Ath. Pol. 29.5). This new government claimed that a Council of 400 was “according to the ancestral constitution” (Aristot. Ath. Pol. 31.1). This Council of 400 would have the power to choose 5000 Athenians who would be the only citizens eligible to participate in assemblies (Thuc. 8.67.3; Aristot. Ath. Pol. 29.5).
Read about the evidence
Thucydides (Thuc.).
Aristotle (Aristot. Ath. Pol.).
Thucydides describes how this new Council of 400 collected an armed gang, confronted the democratic Council, paid them their stipends, and sent them home (Thuc. 8.69.4; Aristot. Ath. Pol. 32.1).
Read about the evidence
Aristotle (Aristot. Ath. Pol.).
This oligarchic government lasted only four months before it was replaced by another government in which the power was in the hands of 5000 Athenians — more democratic, but still a far cry from the radical democracy defined by Cleisthenes (Aristot. Ath. Pol. 33.1). That government, in turn, lasted only a short time before “the People quickly seized control of the constitution from them” (Aristot. Ath. Pol. 34.1).
Read about the evidence
Plutarch (Plut. Alc.).
Plutarch (Plut. Lys.).
Pausanias (Paus.).
Xenophon (Xen. Hell.).
Plot on a Map
Aegospotamoi.
Athens.
The democracy was restored, but only briefly. In
Read about the evidence
Plutarch (Plut. Lys.).
Andocides (Andoc. 1).
Xenophon (Xen. Hell.).
Plot on a Map
Athens.
Like the Oligarchy of
An inscription (IG I3 105) survives that records a law limiting the Council’s authority. After two anti-democratic revolutions, this law says that in matters of war and peace, death sentences, large fines, disenfranchisement (that is, loss of citizenship), the administration of public finances, and foreign policy the Council cannot act without the approval of the Assembly of the People.
Plot on a Map
Athens.
With this restoration, Athens reestablished a radically democratic government. The following description of the institutions of Athens will focus on the democracy as it was in the
(The story of the end of Athenian democracy is told, briefly, at the end of the“Overview of Athenian Democracy.”)
page 6 of 7