CLST 200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Porto Rafti, Basileus, Polemarch
16 Oct 2013
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Coastal plains of thriasia: by 5th century attica was politically unified. Outlying towns not restive under athenian control nor did they have inferior status. Synoikism dated to a period around 700. At the head of an aristocratic society was the usual basileus or king. Later joined or replaced by an official called an archon: at first ruled for life, then ten years, then annually. Perhaps in 682 when official list of annual archons begins: archon basileus. Mainly ritual functions inherited from the early basileus: archon eponymous. Gave his name to the year and was the effective head of state: archon polemarch. Army commander: 6 more officials known as archon thesmothetes. Act as recorders of judicial decisions and as court officials. Only members of the aristocratic familes know as eupatrids (well-born) were eligible for archonship or the council. Citizen body was distributed among four traditional ionian tribes. The development of the athenian polis: the first attempt at tyranny: kylon.
