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# I. The Functioning of Athenian Democracy The city-state, polis in Greek, is a form of political organization that emerged in ancient Greece from the 8th century BC. It was initially a community of free men, the citizens. The exercise of power was structured by a council, an assembly (ecclesia) a...

# I. The Functioning of Athenian Democracy The city-state, polis in Greek, is a form of political organization that emerged in ancient Greece from the 8th century BC. It was initially a community of free men, the citizens. The exercise of power was structured by a council, an assembly (ecclesia) and magistrates. In the 6th century BC, the city of Athens experienced a political crisis and significant social tensions. These conflicts resulted in the rejection of both tyranny and oligarchy. Around 508 BC, Clisthenes, an Athenian politician, created demes and tribes, and reformed the exercise of political power. The 500 members of the Council (the Boule) were now chosen by lot for one year within each tribe. **Oligarchy**: From the Greek words *oligos* (few) and *arkhe* (rule), it is a form of government where a small group holds power over the majority. This group could be the best and most capable (aristocracy), the elders (gerontocracy), the most skilled (technocracy), or the wealthiest (plutocracy). **Tyranny**: From the Greek word *tyrannos* (master), it is a form of government where absolute power is held by a single person who has obtained power illegally or for a specific period to address a threat to the city. These reforms established equal power for all citizens, with each citizen taking on responsibilities in turn. The city became a space for egalitarian political participation, where citizens obeyed the laws they had created and respected the institutions in which they participated. >>Democracy, therefore, stems from two principles of equality: equality before the law (isonomy) and equal speech rights (isegoria) in the popular assembly, the Ecclesia. The power of the Ecclesia was strengthened during the Persian Wars in the early 5th century BC. The Ecclesia, now meeting regularly, controlled political and military decisions by popular vote. The victories of Athens fostered trust in the democratic system. **Citizenship**: Citizenship was a privilege granting rights: political rights (participation in political life, voting and holding office), legal rights (isonomy) and economic rights (access to property). To acquire citizenship, young Athenians had to complete the ephebia (two-year military service) and take an oath to defend the city. From a reform of Pericles in 451 BC, citizenship required being born to two Athenian parents. A citizen who deserted, stole or damaged public property could lose some or all of their rights. Democracy involved the participation of all citizens in institutions. The assembly met on the Pnyx Hill 40 times a year where each citizen voted on laws. Equality was ensured through the lottery system: 500 council members were chosen by lottery, as were 6000 jurors for the courts (the Heliea). Only the most important officials like generals were elected, while others were chosen by lottery. A payment, called *misthos*, was introduced to ease political participation. Many positions were annual and not held cumulatively, thus all citizens had a chance to participate in government. Social status influenced participation in politics. Wealthy citizens held the most important offices and funded public projects (ships, theater productions). Poorer citizens actively took part in democracy: voting in the Ecclesia, holding elected or lottery-determined offices and checking on those in power. Ostracism was a procedure where the assembly could vote to temporarily exile a citizen suspected of endangering the city’s freedom. The city celebrated religious festivals such as the Panathenaea, honoring Athena. These festivals reflected civic religion.