Athenian Democracy Overview

Study Notes

Athenian Democracy

Cleisthenes, "The Father of Democracy," introduced the concept of demokratia or "rule by the people" in 507 B.C.
The Athenian system of direct democracy involved three institutions: the ekklesia, the boule, and the dikasteria.
Athenian citizenship was restricted to men and women whose parents were Athenian citizens.
The male population of Athens in the 4th century B.C. was about 100,000.
Athenian democracy only allowed male citizens over the age of 18 to vote, resulting in around 40,000 people participating in the system.

The Ekklesia

The ekklesia, or Assembly, was the main governing body of Athens with meetings held 40 times per year.
Meetings were held at the Pnyx, a hillside auditorium west of the Acropolis.
Any Athenian male citizen could attend, but only about 5,000 attended each session.
The ekklesia had the power to:
- Decide on war and foreign policy
- Write and revise laws
- Approve or condemn the conduct of public officials
- Ostracize citizens by a majority vote
- Decisions were made by simple majority vote.
While the ekklesia was technically open to all Athenian citizens, only 5,000 men attended each session, as the rest served in the military or worked.

The Boule

The boule, or Council of Five Hundred, was a group of 500 men, 50 from each of the ten Athenian tribes.
Members served on the Council for one year.
The boule met every day and was responsible for daily governance.
The boule:
- Supervised government workers
- Managed navy ships and army horses
- Dealt with ambassadors from other city-states
- Determined which matters would come before the ekklesia
Positions on the boule were chosen by lot, aiming for a more democratic system.
Although selection was theoretically random, historians argue that wealthy and influential people were overrepresented on the Council.

The Dikasteria

The dikasteria, or popular courts, used a system of juries chosen by lot from male citizens over 30.
Aristotle deemed the dikasteria the strongest pillar of Athenian democracy because of its immense power.
Over 500 jurors were chosen daily.
The dikasteria:
- Served as the judicial system since there were no police in Athens.
- Judged cases based on the argument of the prosecution and defense.
- Delivered verdicts and sentences by the majority rule.
- Had no limitations on the types of cases that could be prosecuted.
Citizens could use the dikasteria to punish or embarrass their enemies.
Jurors received a wage, allowing participation beyond the wealthy.

Description

Explore the foundations of Athenian democracy established by Cleisthenes and its key institutions including the ekklesia, boule, and dikasteria. Understand the criteria for citizenship and the dynamics of direct democracy in ancient Athens. This quiz will test your knowledge of this pivotal period in democratic governance.