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How democracy got its strange and turbulent start in ancient Athens

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Summary

This article examines the turbulent and strange start of democracy in ancient Athens. It begins with the election of military officers and civilian magistrates in 490 BCE, and the refusal of Athenians to submit to the Persian Empire of King Darius I. It then looks at the mythical kings of Athens, including Actaeus, Cecrops, Theseus, and Menestheus. It examines their roles in Athenian history, and the myths surrounding them. It also examines the political and social changes that occurred in Athens during this time, such as the synoecism of Attica, the establishment of the Panathenaia Festival, and the division between Ionian Athenians and Dorian Peloponnesians. Finally, it looks at how Theseus was portrayed as a political reformer who championed democracy, and how Menestheus was seen as the first demagogue.

Q&As

What events led to the start of democracy in ancient Athens?
The free, native-born, adult, male Athenians went to the polls to elect their annual military officers and civilian magistrates in 490 BCE.

What mythical figures were associated with the establishment of democracy in Athens?
Mythical kings such as Actaeus, Cecrops I, Cranaus, Erikhthonius, Erekhtheus, and Theseus were associated with the establishment of democracy in Athens.

How did the Athenians view their own identity?
The Athenians viewed themselves as autochthonous, or the aboriginal inhabitants of their land.

How did Theseus promote democratic ideals?
Theseus was credited with establishing the Panathenaia Festival to Athena, fighting off a major assault on Athens by the Amazons, and then laying aside his royal power. He also promised a kingless constitution and a democracy to the powerful, with himself as the only commander in war and guardian of the laws, while in other respects everyone would have equal shares.

What role did Menestheus play in the transition from monarchy to democracy in Athens?
Menestheus was said to be the first person to ‘set himself up as a demagogue, and ingratiate himself with the multitude’, and he played on the ill feelings generated by Theseus’s reforms. He led the domestic opponents of Theseus and pushed him off a cliff when he misjudged the situation on the island of Scyros. Menestheus then became the new King of Athens and led the Athenians in the Trojan War.

AI Comments

👍 This article gives a fascinating look into the history of democracy in Athens and its mythical kings. It is a great read that provides an in-depth look into the past and the political events that shaped the Western world.

👎 This article is overly long and drawn out, making it difficult to read and comprehend. The inclusion of mythology and mythical kings is not necessary and takes away from the main focus of the article.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the strange and turbulent start of democracy in ancient Athens. It talks about the mythical kings, the mythical democracy of Theseus, and the fact that it was Athens that led the charge against the Persian Empire.

Friend: That's really interesting! It's amazing to think that the ancient Greeks were so ahead of their time when it comes to democracy.

Me: Exactly! It's incredible to think that the history of democracy in the West can be traced back to Athens. It's also interesting to see how the idea of democracy evolved over time, and how it was both a product of mythology and a reflection of the social and political climate of the time. The article also has implications for today, as it shows that democratic systems can both be imposed from the top-down and emerge from the bottom-up. It's important to remember that democracy is a process, not an event, and that its success depends on the willingness of citizens to engage in meaningful dialogue and debate.

Action items

Research the other mythical kings of Athens and their contributions to the development of democracy.
Read The Harvest of War: Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis: The Epic Battles that Saved Democracy by Stephen P. Kershaw.
Create a timeline of the key dates in Greek history/mythology as recorded in the Parian Chronicle.

Technical terms

Hybrillides: The Archonship of Hybrillides was the 490 BCE election in Athens to elect their annual military officers and civilian magistrates.
Miltiades: Miltiades was a charismatic and controversial figure who was elected as one of the ten strategoi (generals) who would command their respective tribal contingents in the inevitable war.
Autochthonous: Autochthonous is defined as the aboriginal inhabitants of their land (Greek: khthon = ‘earth’).
Synoecism: Synoecism is the amalgamation of all the small independent communities of the region into one state, with Athens as its capital.
Demos: Demos is the Greek term for ‘people’.
Tyrannos: Tyrannos is the Greek term for ‘ruler’.
Okhlos: Okhlos is the Greek term for ‘mob’.
Politeian: Politeian is the Greek term for ‘constitution’.
Demokratian: Demokratian is the Greek term for ‘democracy’.