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Paperback
Published: 25th November 1991
ISBN: 9780521423892
Number Of Pages: 272
This book is concerned with the public aspects of the life of Athenian citizens in the period from c. 450 to 322 BC. Its central purpose is a critical assessment of the character and extent of citizens' participation in the running of the democracy. Professor Sinclair's analysis is made from the point of view of the individual citizen--his privileges and opportunities, his responsibilities, the rewards and the dangers of exploiting the opportunities available to him.
' ... for years to come [Democracy and Participation] will probably replace Jones' Athenian Democracy of 1957 as the standard textbook used in universities in the English-speaking part of the world.' M. H. Hansen, Classical Review ' ... a lucid, well-organized discussion which deserves to become the standard introduction to the subject for both senior secondary and undergraduate students. It should be in the libraries of all schools which teach Ancient History ...' D. Phillips, Teaching History 'Sinclair ... is to be congratulated for producing a consistently clear, well-argued, well-documented and balanced account which will retain its value for years.' N. R. E. Fisher, Polis
| Preface | p. xi |
| Maps | p. xiii |
| The Athenian polis and the evolution of democracy | |
| Athenian views of developments to c. 500 B.C. | p. 1 |
| The growing power of Athens c. 500-c. 450 | p. 5 |
| Socio-economic changes c. 480-c. 450 | p. 9 |
| Athenian perceptions and confidence in the 450s: demokratia | p. 13 |
| Characteristics of Athenian democracy c. 450 | p. 17 |
| Participation of citizens in the polis c. 450-322 | p. 20 |
| The privileges and the opportunities of the citizen | |
| Athenian attitudes to citizenship | p. 24 |
| Citizens, metics and slaves | p. 28 |
| Opportunities for leadership | p. 34 |
| Trends in leadership in the fifth century | p. 34 |
| Trends in leadership 403-322 | p. 43 |
| Socio-economic factors; avenues for influence | p. 47 |
| The responsibilities of the citizen | |
| Family and local interests and responsibilities | p. 49 |
| Religious cults and festivals | p. 53 |
| The obligations of military service | p. 54 |
| Financial obligations | p. 61 |
| Political and judicial fields | p. 65 |
| The role of the Council of 500 | p. 73 |
| The sovereignty of the Demos, officials and the Council | |
| The accountability of officials to the Demos | p. 77 |
| The assembly and the making and revision of laws | p. 83 |
| The Council of 500 and the decision-making process | p. 84 |
| The decrees of the assembly | p. 88 |
| Probouleumatic decrees | p. 88 |
| Non-probouleumatic decrees | p. 94 |
| The indications of the epigraphical evidence | p. 98 |
| A crucial role? | p. 101 |
| Citizens and participation | |
| The Council of 500: active participation or manipulation? | p. 106 |
| Attendance levels in the assembly | p. 114 |
| The assembly and the courts | p. 119 |
| Aristotle and leisure | p. 119 |
| The implications of extant speeches | p. 123 |
| The character and the attraction of the courts | p. 127 |
| The assembly or the courts? | p. 133 |
| The hazards of leadership | |
| The role of individuals | p. 136 |
| Leaders, 'occasional proposers' and ordinary citizens in the fourth century | p. 138 |
| Networks in public life | p. 141 |
| The risks faced by military commanders | p. 146 |
| The indictment for making an illegal proposal | p. 152 |
| The dangers of impeachment | p. 156 |
| Were the stakes high? | p. 160 |
| A note on Aristophon | p. 162 |
| The rewards of leadership | |
| The rewards and the hazards: three contemporaries | p. 163 |
| Was the Demos ruthless? | p. 169 |
| Honour and power | p. 176 |
| Material rewards in public life | p. 179 |
| Political networks | p. 186 |
| The harnessing of 'ambition' | p. 188 |
| The critics of Athenian democracy | |
| Factors in the extent of participation | p. 191 |
| The cost of participation - exploitation of others? | p. 196 |
| The consequences of participation | p. 202 |
| Contemporary views | p. 202 |
| The conduct of the assembly and the courts | p. 205 |
| Did Athenian democracy work? Amateurs and experts | p. 211 |
| Factors in the support for democracy | p. 218 |
| The population of Athens | p. 223 |
| 'Working days' | p. 225 |
| Notes on three constitutional matters | p. 228 |
| Bibliography | p. 230 |
| Index | p. 243 |
| Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780521423892
ISBN-10: 0521423899
Audience:
Professional
Format:
Paperback
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 272
Published: 25th November 1991
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PR
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.58 x 15.06
x 1.5
Weight (kg): 0.39
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