Athenian Model: Democracy and Society
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ScribdTranslationsThe Athenian Model
Characteristics of Ancient Greece
➔ It had a mountainous territory, with a dry climate of little
precipitation then, to facilitate governance and be self-sufficient
(autarky), the Greeks created several city-states, small ones.
independent communities.
The city
➔ The Polis is the term used by the Greeks to designate small communities.
in which they lived. However, several were necessary for their existence
elements: the territory, the civic body, and a set of its own laws.
It was still considered that the Polis should be able to function on its own,
without depending on anyone.
Spaces of Athens
ACROPOLIS: The Acropolis was the sacred area, consisting of the main...
temples and shrines, it was a sacred place, located in an elevated location (character)
defensive)
AGORA: Agora was the center of life in the polis, it is the true public square where
they carried out political and economic activities, the market and the assemblies of
citizens, integrating theatres, stadiums and the stoa.
The Society
Citizens: Individuals of the male sex, free, over 20 years old, who complied
military service, children of Athenian father and mother, had political rights, being able to
thus participating in the government of the Polis.
Metics: Foreigners or children of foreigners; they were free, but did not have rights.
politician; they had to serve in the military and pay taxes (Metecs)
Slaves: Most numerous social group; war prisoners or children of slaves;
they had no political rights and were treated as instruments of
work.
A model citizen
They had to contribute financially to the city, (in the case of the citizens most
rich). They had to actively participate in the government of the polis, they should be well
instructed.
Athenian Democracy
➔ It has a direct character due to the introduction of mistoforias (Pericles created the
mistoforias, a payment by the State to those who performed public functions.
thus making it possible for the poorest to participate in political life), the
government to be elected according to the voting intentions of the voters and three rights
fundamentals: isonomy, isocracy, and isegoria. Isonomy is equality
before the law, that is, no citizen had privileges based on their
wealth or the prestige of your family; Isocracy was the equality of access
to political positions, therefore, all citizens had the right and the duty
to participate in the government of the Polis; Finally, the isegoria which was the equality of
right to use the word.
This political regime says that all citizens are equal, however, that is not the case
what happened was that women, slaves, and metics did not have the same
rights.
Athenian government bodies
LEGISLATIVE POWER
Ecclesia: Composed of all citizens, they met in the open air. It was their duty.
at the Assembly to discuss and vote on laws, to decide on peace and war, the ostracism
to deliberate on any other matter that directly concerned
city government.
Bulé: Shares legislative power with the Church. The Bulé had the power to make
the laws, also addressing other current issues, deciding what to do.
This body had 500 members, chosen by lottery (annually) in which
no one could be elected more than 2 times in life.
EXECUTIVE POWER
Strategists: They are the only magistrates elected for their competence because
they had military functions with a growing political influence. The
strategists were the true leaders of Athens for controlling its
foreign and financial policy.
Archons: Chosen by random draw, 1 per tribe, considered
prestigious magistrates, although their functions are somewhat limited
for they were only responsible for the presidency of the courts, religious functions and
verification of laws (progressively reduced importance)
Justice was ensured in two courts:
Areopagus: Formed by ancient archons to whom it was entrusted the
judgment of homicide, arson and poisoning crimes and disrespect
to the gods of the city, among other religious issues.
Helieu: Composed of 6000 judges, over 30 years old, drawn
annually at the rate of 600 per tribe. The Helieu had the function of judging the
majority of the processes.
Athenian democracy and the present one
Meanwhile, in Athenian democracy, only citizens (men aged 20 years with
full military service) were entitled to vote, nowadays, both
women, like men, can vote as long as they are over 18
years.
Athenian Education
Both boys and girls, up to the age of 7, stayed in the gynaeceum with the
their mothers. After that, the girls were already ready to learn everything about
what concerns a lady and the boys went to school. At school
they had to learn to read, to write, arithmetic, philosophy, mathematics, and
they still had physical training. At 18 years old they fulfilled a service
military for those aged 20 and over to become citizens, to have the capacity
to defend your own city and participate in the assemblies
Civic-Religious Manifestations
They had a religious character because they were dedicated to their gods, being
held in places considered sacred and some attracted pilgrims
of all the Greek world
Greek architecture
Doric order: The oldest, sober, and robust order; It has columns without
base and simple capital.
Ionian order: More elegant, light, and graceful; It has columns with bases and
capital with volutes.
Corinthian order:
Variant of the Ionic order; It has columns with a base and a capital decorated with
arcanto leaves.
