Athens Transformed, 404-262 BC From Popular Sovereignty to the Dominion of Wealth

Free Download Phillip Harding, "Athens Transformed, 404-262 BC: From Popular Sovereignty to the Dominion of Wealth "
English | ISBN: 1138574317 | 2018 | 204 pages | EPUB | 2 MB
During the heady, democratic days of the fifth and fourth centuries, the poorer members of Athenian society, the lower two classes of zeugitai and thetes, enjoyed an unprecedented dominance in both domestic and foreign politics. At home, the participatory nature of the constitution required their presence not only in the lawcourts and assembly, but also in most of the minor magistracies; abroad, they were the driving force of the navy, which ensured Athens' control of the Aegean and the Black seas. Their participation at all levels was made possible by state pay (for jury duty, attendance in the assembly, public office and military service). In the fifth century state pay was financed largely through the tribute paid by members of the empire, supplemented by the liturgical contributions of the rich and, beginning during the war, a property tax (the