ANCW20022 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Minos, Megacles, Solonian Constitution
Document Summary
7th & 8th c both athens and sparta faced similar challenges. Rising population, limited resources (land, manpower), elite competition, growing political crisis. Sparta militarisation, territorial expansion, enslavement of surrounding populations. Spartan model breaks down family unit the oikos. In both cases, models emerge as responses to specific situations, crises. Son of king aegeus (dubious historicity like. Liberator of athens (king minos of crete annual tribute of 14 youths and maidens) Esp. early career as bandit/ monster-slayer on his journey to athens. Legacy synoecism uniting small communities in. Legend developed of a brave, just, and intelligent leader. Idea of self-help taking matters into own hands. Individuals demand ownership of person as payment - slavery. Bid for sole power by cylon, occupies the. Acropolis and takes refuge at the cult status of. Surrenders with assurance of life, but all followers murdered by megacles (archon) Exposes weakness of institutions in face of customs of reciprocity.