Jonah Patel
Pericles, an Athenian general, politician, and statesman, is known for his significant contributions to the development of Athenian democracy. In his famous funeral oration during the Peloponnesian War, Pericles described Athenian democracy as the school of Hellas, highlighting its constitution that favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. Athenian democracy, established by the Athenians before 500 B.C., was characterized by a political system of legislation and executive bills, open to adult male citizens of native parentage, regardless of wealth or class. Pericles' reforms further shaped this democracy, making Athens the cultural and political center of Greece. While Pericles' democracy excluded women and slaves, it laid the foundation for the modern idea of universal egalitarianism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rule by the many, not the few | Democracy |
| Equality before the law | Equality |
| Merit-based advancement | Meritocracy |
| No barriers to participation based on poverty or humble origins | Equality of Opportunity |
| Citizenship for adult male Athenian citizens | Athenian Citizenship |
| Payment for jurors | Radical Democracy |
| No judges or legal direction in courts | Anti-professionalism |
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What You'll Learn
Athenian democracy was a 'government by the people'
Athenian democracy, established in the decade before 500 BC, was the world's first democratic constitution. It was carried to its classical form by the reforms of Pericles, an Athenian general, politician and statesman, around half a century later. Pericles himself described Athenian democracy as "governed by the many, not the few". Citizenship was open to adult male Athenian citizens of native parentage, regardless of wealth or class. This meant that, in theory, around 30% of the adult population could participate in Athenian democracy. However, in practice, some citizens were more active than others.
Pericles claimed that Athenian democracy did not turn its back on excellence, but rather opened the competition for excellence and honour to all, removing the accidental barriers imposed in other constitutions and societies. Athenian citizens had to be descended from citizens; after the reforms of Pericles and Cimon in 450 BC, only those descended from two Athenian parents could claim citizenship. Pericles also introduced pay for juries, which Aristotle described as fundamental to radical democracy.
Despite the progressive nature of Athenian democracy, it did have its limitations. Notably, women were excluded from government and public roles, and the term "citizen" was rarely used in reference to women. Women were often referred to as "astē", meaning "a woman belonging to the city", or "Attikē gunē", meaning "an Attic woman/wife". In addition, Athenian democracy excluded resident aliens and slaves from political life.
Athenian democracy was twice briefly interrupted by oligarchic revolutions in 411 and 404 BC, towards the end of the Peloponnesian War. Democracy was later suppressed by the Macedonians in 322 BC. While Athenian institutions were eventually revived, it is debated how close they were to the original forms of democracy.
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Pericles' reforms allowed for a broader scope of citizen participation
Pericles, an Athenian general, politician, and statesman, is known for his reforms that strengthened Athenian democracy and the Athenian empire, making Athens the political and cultural focus of Greece between the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian Wars. Pericles himself was born into the Athenian aristocracy, but his reforms allowed for a broader scope of citizen participation, as will be explored in the following paragraphs.
Firstly, Pericles' reforms contributed to the development of Athenian democracy by breaking up the unlimited power of the nobility. This was achieved by organizing citizens into ten groups based on where they lived, rather than on their wealth. This approach removed the accidental barriers imposed by class and wealth, opening up opportunities for more citizens to engage in the democratic process and have their voices heard.
Secondly, Pericles is credited with introducing payment for jurors around 462 BC. This feature, described by Aristotle as fundamental to radical democracy, ensured that ordinary citizens with little to no legal training could serve as jurors. The random selection of jurors further broadened the scope of citizen participation, as it provided an opportunity for a wider range of individuals to directly engage in the legal system and contribute to the administration of justice.
Thirdly, Pericles' reforms also impacted the understanding of citizenship. Before his law, citizenship was restricted to those of Athenian parentage on the father's side. Pericles' reform required descent from both Athenian parents to claim citizenship. This change may seem restrictive, but it actually addressed a previous lack of registration for women, who were often referred to as "a woman belonging to the city" rather than as citizens. By requiring descent from both Athenian parents, Pericles' reform may have laid the groundwork for more inclusive citizenship rights for women in the future, even though they were still excluded from political life during his time.
Overall, Pericles' reforms played a significant role in shaping Athenian democracy and expanding the scope of citizen participation. His changes to the distribution of power, the legal system, and the understanding of citizenship contributed to a more inclusive and democratic society, even if it was still limited to adult male citizens of Athenian descent. Pericles' legacy in shaping Athenian democracy is undeniable, and his ideas continue to influence our understanding of democracy and citizen participation even today.
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Citizenship was restricted to adult males of Athenian parentage
Athenian democracy, established around 500 B.C., was carried to its classical form by the reforms of Pericles. Pericles, an Athenian general, politician, and leader, is best remembered for his funeral oration during the Peloponnesian War, in which he honoured the fallen and held up Athenian democracy as an example to the rest of Greece.
In his funeral oration, Pericles described Athenian democracy as "the school of Hellas," praising its constitution, which "favours the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy." He emphasised that the laws provided equal justice for all and that advancement in public life was based on merit rather than class or wealth. However, citizenship in Athens was restricted to adult males of Athenian parentage. This restriction on citizenship limited democratic participation to a small percentage of the total adult population, estimated at around 30%.
Pericles' reforms further narrowed the eligibility for citizenship by requiring individuals to be descended from two Athenian parents. This change was instituted to preserve the purity of the Athenian race and prevent foreign influence. The requirement of Athenian parentage on both sides made it impossible for Pericles himself to marry Aspasia of Miletus, with whom he had a relationship later in his life.
While Pericles' definition of democracy excluded women, resident aliens, and slaves from political life, it laid the foundation for the modern idea of universal egalitarianism. Athenian democracy was interrupted by oligarchic revolutions and suppressed by the Macedonians, but its principles of equality, meritocracy, and freedom laid the groundwork for future democratic ideals.
Pericles' contribution to Athenian democracy was significant, and his leadership during the Peloponnesian War solidified Athens' position as the political and cultural focus of Greece. His reforms, including the introduction of pay for juries, strengthened the democratic elements in the Athenian constitution and promoted a more inclusive form of governance.
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Pericles' democracy was inclusive of all classes
Pericles, an Athenian general, politician, and statesman, is often regarded as the leader of Athens and the longest-lasting democratic leader. He is known for flourishing Athenian democracy and the Athenian empire, making Athens the political and cultural focus of Greece between the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian wars.
However, it is important to note that Athenian democracy under Pericles had limitations and was not fully inclusive of all classes. Citizenship was restricted to adult males of Athenian parentage, excluding women, children, resident aliens, and slaves from political life and decision-making processes. Pericles himself supported a law that restricted citizenship to those with Athenian parents on both sides, further limiting the scope of democratic participation. While Pericles' democracy may have been more inclusive than other contemporary societies, it did not extend full political rights and participation to all members of Athenian society.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Athenian democracy, including during Pericles' time, was subject to various influences and changes. For example, Pericles' reforms in 450 BC restricted citizenship to those descended from two Athenian parents, impacting the composition of the citizen body. Additionally, the introduction of pay for juries, a feature ascribed to Pericles, contributed to a more inclusive democratic process by enabling a wider range of citizens to participate. The democratic nature of Athens was also challenged at times, as seen in the oligarchic revolutions in 411 and 404 BC that briefly interrupted Athenian democracy.
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Athenian democracy was the first of its kind
> "If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way; if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life."
Pericles' reforms in the decade before 500 BC carried Athenian democracy to its classical form. While the rest of the world continued to be characterised by monarchical, rigidly hierarchical, command societies, democracy in Athens was carried as far as it would go before modern times, perhaps further than at any other place and time. Athenian democracy was the first to establish a democratic constitution, granting full and active participation in every decision of the state without regard to wealth or class.
Athenian democracy was also the first to introduce payment for jurors, ascribed to Pericles, a feature described by Aristotle as fundamental to radical democracy. However, it is important to note that Athenian democracy had its limitations. Citizenship was limited to adult males of native parentage, excluding women, children, resident aliens, and slaves from political life. The principle of equality within the political community that they invented was the seed of the modern idea of universal egalitarianism.
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Frequently asked questions
Pericles described Athenian democracy as a system of laws that all Athenians had to follow, without a king. He also emphasised that Athenian democracy allowed for equal justice for all and that advancement in public life was based on merit, not class.
Athenian democracy was more democratic in the sense that citizens governed directly, rather than through elected representatives.
Athenian democracy excluded women, children, resident aliens, and slaves from political life. Citizenship was restricted to adult males of Athenian parentage on both sides.
Pericles is credited with reforms that brought Athenian democracy to its classical form. He introduced pay for juries, restricted citizenship to those of Athenian parentage on both sides, and advocated an aggressive policy of expansion for Athens.
