Democracy and Imperialism: Origins and Legacy of Classical Athens
The module explores the origins, nature, and legacy of democracy in Classical Athens (508-322 BC), shedding light on the political structures, principles, and impact of Athenian democracy. Topics range from the supreme authority of the Assembly to the accountability of magistrates, providing insights into ancient Greek democracy and imperialism, as seen through the lens of historical texts and perspectives.
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Democracy and Imperialism LECTURE 1: INTRODUCTION ROEL KONIJNENDIJK Room 234, Humanities building r.konijnendijk@warwick.ac.uk
Module outline Lectures: every Friday, 3-5pm, R0.12 Seminars: weeks 5 and 8, groups to be determined Language sessions (Q800 students): every Tuesday, 4-5pm, H2.45 Essay: Term 1 deadline Tuesday 14 November Exam in Term 3
What are we talking about? Democracy? Imperialism? Module theme: the origins, nature, and legacy of the democracy of Classical Athens (508-322 BC)
A matter of perspective First known use of demokratia: Herodotus 6.131.1 (c. 430) Greek political writing & expression is (Athenian) retrospective Imperialism : no Greek word for empire!
Power to the People The rule of the multitude has in the first place the loveliest name of all: equality. In the second place, the people do none of the evil things that monarchs do. Officials hold office by lot, and their conduct is subject to examination, and all measures are referred to the popular assembly. Herodotus 3.80.6 The popular principle of justice is to have equality according to number, not worth, and if this is the principle of justice prevailing, the multitude must of necessity be sovereign and the decision of the majority must be final and must constitute justice, for they say that each of the citizens ought to have an equal share; so that it results that in democracies the poor are more powerful than the rich, because there are more of them, and whatever is decided by the majority is sovereign. Aristotle, Politics 1317b.3-10
What is Athenian democracy? Supreme authority of the Assembly Offices assigned by lot for short periods Magistrates held accountable Payment for public duties Equality?
The first Greek empire? And the first person known to us by tradition as having established a navy is Minos. He made himself master of what is now called the Aegean, and ruled over the Cyclades, into most of which he sent the first colonies, expelling the Carians and appointing his own sons governors; and thus did his best to put down piracy in those waters, a necessary step to secure the revenues for his own use. ( ) As soon as Minos had formed his navy, communication by sea became easier, as he colonized most of the islands, and thus expelled the evildoers. The coast populations now began to apply themselves more closely to the acquisition of wealth, and their life became more settled; some even began to build themselves walls on the strength of their newly-acquired riches. For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller towns to subjection. Thucydides 1.4 and 1.8.2-3
What is Athenian imperialism? Power over other communities Control of the sea/control of trade Extraction of revenue from subjects Establishing colonies overseas Mutual benefit?
The origins of democracy Democracy did not appear out of nowhere Democracy did not arise fully formed The rise of democracy was no inevitable process
What is good government? The Cyclopes ( ) have no assembly, no code of law, but live in echoing caves on the mountain slopes, and each man lays down the law to his wives and children, and cares nothing for one another. Homer, Odyssey 9.106-115 And there is the maiden Justice (Dik ), the daughter of Zeus, who is honoured and revered among the gods who dwell on Olympus, and whenever anyone hurts her with lying slander, she sits beside her father, Zeus the son of Cronos, and tells him of men's wicked minds, until the people pay for the mad folly of their basileis who, thinking evil thoughts, pervert judgement and speak crooked justice. Keep watch against this, you basileis, and make straight your judgements, you gift-eaters (d rophagoi); put crooked judgements altogether from your thoughts. Hesiod, Works and Days 256-264
Early Archaic government Earliest literary texts reveal hierarchy dominated by kings (basileis) but tempered by Assembly Kingship not hereditary, but based on wealth & prominence in counsel and war From 8th century onward: population growth, increased trade, reintroduction of writing, overseas settlement all put pressure on the kings !
Was democracy born in war? And constitution among the Greeks after the kingships consisted of those who were actually warriors, consisting of the cavalry, ( ) but as the states grew and the hoplites had become stronger, more persons came to have a part in the government. indeed the earliest form of the original form Aristotle, Politics 1297b.16-24
Early signs of people power Law from Dreros (Crete), second half of 7th century: it pleases the polis Foundation of Cyrene, late 7th century: the people decide? People s Council (boul dem si ) on Chios, c. 550 Spartan Great Rhetra : democracy or not?
Tyrants: friends of the people? And moreover, because cities in those times were not large but the common people lived in the country and worked their farms, the people's champions, when they became warlike, used to aim at tyranny. And they all used to do this when they had acquired the confidence of the people, and their pledge of confidence was their enmity towards the rich. Aristotle, Politics 1305a.19-23 [Kypselos] was soon especially admired by the citizens, as he was brave and sensible and seemed to have the popular interest at heart. ( ) Finally having formed an entourage he killed the ruler Hippokleides who was lawless and oppressive. And the people quickly set him up as king in his stead. Nicolaus of Damascus fr. 57.4-6 The nobles are in exile, the base manage the city. If only Zeus would destroy the clan of the Kypselids! Theognis 893-894
Athens says no to tyranny 632/1: Cylon, Olympic victor & son-in-law of Theagenes, the tyrant of Megara, gathers a hetaireia and stages a coup Cylon s attempt fails when the people intervene Murder of Cylon s allies brings a curse on the powerful clan of the Alcmeonids Civil strife continues. Athenians assign Draco to write new laws
Key questions What are the forces that drove the emergence of democracy in the ancient Greek world? To what extent was Athens different from other Greek poleis in the early Archaic period? To what extent do you think democracy was the likely outcome of the changing nature of Greek society at this time?
