Athenian DemocracyP. J. Rhodes Edinburgh University Press, 2019 M08 7 - 304 pages Athens' democracy developed during the sixth and fifth centuries and continued into the fourth; Athens' defeat by Macedon in 322 began a series of alternations between democracy and oligarchy. The democracy was inseparably bound up with the ideals of liberty and equality, the rule of law, and the direct government of the people by the people. Liberty meant above all freedom of speech, the right to be heard in the public assembly and the right to speak one's mind in private. Equality meant the equal right of the male citizens (perhaps 60,000 in the fifth century, 30,000 in the fourth) to participate in the government of the state and the administration of the law. Disapproved of as mob rule until the nineteenth century, the institutions of Athenian democracy have become an inspiration for modern democratic politics and political philosophy. P. J. Rhodes's reader focuses on the political institutions, political activity, history, and nature of Athenian democracy and introduces some of the best British, American, German and French scholarship on its origins, theory and practice. Part I is devoted to political institutions: citizenship, the assembly, the law-courts, and capital punishment. Part II explores aspects of political activity: the demagogues and their relationship with the assembly, the manoeuvrings of the politicians, competitive festivals, and the separation of public from private life. Part III looks at three crucial points in the development of the democracy: the reforms of Solon, Cleisthenes and Ephialtes. Part IV considers what it was in Greek life that led to the development of democracy. Some of the authors adopt broad-brush approaches to major questions; others analyse a particular body of evidence in detail. Use is made of archaeology, comparison with other societies, the location of festivals in their civic context, and the need to penetrate behind what the classical Athenians made of their past. |
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Page 43
... suggest that the seating area was divided in some manner” (Kourouniotes/Thompson 104) ... “It is uncertain whether we have to do with a formal arrangement according to which the citizens were required to seat themselves” (p. 105). In ...
... suggest that the seating area was divided in some manner” (Kourouniotes/Thompson 104) ... “It is uncertain whether we have to do with a formal arrangement according to which the citizens were required to seat themselves” (p. 105). In ...
Page 44
... suggests that a cheirotonia was decided either by estimating or by counting votes: ΛΥΚ: πσ τιν πλεου των 'Επικουρεων η Πλατωνικων η Περιπατητικων; ηρθμησα γα`ρ αυτου` δηλαδη` καθα ́περ εν ται χειροτοναι . ΕΡΜ: αλλ ουκ ηρθμησα εγωγε, ε ...
... suggests that a cheirotonia was decided either by estimating or by counting votes: ΛΥΚ: πσ τιν πλεου των 'Επικουρεων η Πλατωνικων η Περιπατητικων; ηρθμησα γα`ρ αυτου` δηλαδη` καθα ́περ εν ται χειροτοναι . ΕΡΜ: αλλ ουκ ηρθμησα εγωγε, ε ...
Page 49
... suggest that psephophoria was prescribed because it was the only possible way of counting the votes. Additional evidence of this view can be found in some decrees published on stone in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In a few decrees ...
... suggest that psephophoria was prescribed because it was the only possible way of counting the votes. Additional evidence of this view can be found in some decrees published on stone in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In a few decrees ...
Page 50
... suggests that cheirotonia in this context does not mean more than “vote” whereas psaphos is the significant word showing that the vote was taken by ballot. Two inscriptions from Halicarnassus record the respective numbers of 4000 and ...
... suggests that cheirotonia in this context does not mean more than “vote” whereas psaphos is the significant word showing that the vote was taken by ballot. Two inscriptions from Halicarnassus record the respective numbers of 4000 and ...
Page 53
... suggests instead (374) a division into ten random groups, and his only argument for ten groups is that ten seems to be the logical number. In my opinion the problem is decisively settled by Aeschines 2.64–68, where a certain Amyntor ...
... suggests instead (374) a division into ten random groups, and his only argument for ten groups is that ten seems to be the logical number. In my opinion the problem is decisively settled by Aeschines 2.64–68, where a certain Amyntor ...
Contents
1 | |
13 | |
PART II POLITICAL ACTIVITY | 159 |
PART III MOMENTS IN HISTORY | 237 |
PART IV A VIEW OF DEMOCRACY | 325 |
Intellectual Chronology | 349 |
Bibliography | 352 |
Index | 356 |
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Common terms and phrases
activity actual allotment ancient archon argues Aristotle assembly Athenian Athens attempt barley called citizens classical Cleisthenes competition Constitution Council count courts decision deme democracy democratic demos Demosthenes dikasts discussion doubt eisangelia evidence example fact festival fifth century five four fourth century give given Greek hands Hesperia Hundred IG ii2 important individual institutions interest jury kind kleroteria later leaders least less lines majority means officials originally Oxford particular perhaps period person Plut political poor possible practice present probably problem procedure proposal punishment question reason references reforms regard remained Rhodes rooms says seems Solon sources speech suggests taken tickets tribe University vote whole