Changes

From early in the first Millennium Athens was ruled by kings, who were at the head of a land owning aristocracy called the [[Eupatridae]] (the well born) whose instrument of government was a Council which met on the Hill of Ares called the [[Areopagus]]. This body appointed the chief city officials – the archons and the polemarch (Commander in Chief). Four tribes based on family affiliations dominated the area and had their own specific burial, marriage and adoption rights.

From early in the first Millennium Athens was ruled by kings, who were at the head of a land owning aristocracy called the [[Eupatridae]] (the well born) whose instrument of government was a Council which met on the Hill of Ares called the [[Areopagus]]. This body appointed the chief city officials – the archons and the polemarch (Commander in Chief). Four tribes based on family affiliations dominated the area and had their own specific burial, marriage and adoption rights.

During this pre-Democratic period Athens succeeded in bringing several Attican towns into its domain. This process of synoikismos (Greek for ‘bringing together in one home’) made Athens the largest and wealthiest state on the Greek mainland. It has also created wide social unrest by the seventh century BC because it created a larger class of people excluded from political life by the nobility. As a result the Areopagus appointed [[Draco]] to create a strict new law code (hence ‘draconian’) when this failed they appointed Solon to draft a new constitution.

During this pre-Democratic period Athens succeeded in bringing several Attican towns into its domain. This process of synoikismos (Greek for ‘bringing together in one home’) made Athens the largest and wealthiest state on the Greek mainland. It has also created wide social unrest by the seventh century BC because it created a larger class of people excluded from political life by the nobility. As a result the Areopagus appointed [[Draco]] to create a strict new law code (hence "draconian"). When this failed they appointed Solon to draft a new constitution.

==Population==

==Population==

On average during the fifth century, Athens and its home territory of Attica had a rough population of 250,000. Of those, around 30,000 were full free citizens. Around 5,000 of those would regularly attend one or more meetings of the popular assembly. 6,000 citizens were selected fill the juryman courts (A typical jury size being 501)

On average during the fifth century, Athens and its home territory of Attica had a rough population of 250,000. Of those, around 30,000 were full free citizens. Around 5,000 of those would regularly attend one or more meetings of the popular assembly. 6,000 citizens were selected fill the juryman courts (A typical jury size being 501).

 

 

[[Category:Ancient Greece]]

[[Category:Ancient Greece]]