POLI 365 Lecture Notes - Athenian Democracy, Ostracism, Patrilineality
10 Jan 2013
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Highlights that the idea of deliberation, even from the very beginning, important role (council advises monarch). Over time, role of monarch declines; council"s role begins to expand. The former continues to strengthen; the latter two continues to decrease. Ability determined by wealth; wealth determined by landholding. E. : solon institutes reforms that tilts authority away from monarch and council, and to the assembly. This came as a result of a food shortage; many free men sold themselves into slavery for survival. Solon also limited the amount of property one can hold, and how much can be spent on funerals/weddings. Forbade export of grain, which was fuelling the food shortages. Loosened restrictions on membership to council and assembly; changed criteria from birth to wealth (hereditary -> oligarchy). These reforms pave the way for greater democratic participation. For one thing, immigration policy allows for greater opportunities to participate; one can participate politically, because one had immigrants/slaves to do their work for them.
