The three definitions of Demos
The first reference to the demos in our reading this week was in relation to the reforms introduced to Athens by Cleisthenes. In a move to restructure Athenian politics, Cleisthenes split Athens into ten tribes. These ten tribes were made up of the people in subdivisions of land he carefully carved out in Athens. He made sure that the original factions were split randomly and scattered amongst the different subdivisions of land. In this instance, demos referred to a subdivision of land.
Before Cleisthenes’ reforms, the old factions -consisting of three groups- would block progress by their bickering and meddling. Cleisthenes’ restructuring was a desperate attempt to stop the unrest that was gripping Athens because of …show more content…
“The “men of the plains” were wealthy, usually aristocratic farmers. “The “men of the coast,” were prosperous merchants and traders as well as poorer fishermen. Finally, the “men of the Hill” were the urban poor in the city of Athens, and landless laborers and small farmers occupying marginal, low quality farmland in the rocky hill sides that aristocratic landholders did not want.” (Brand, N.D.)
The translation means “village”. It “was the smallest administrative unit of the Athenian state, like a voting precinct or school district” (Blackwell, 2003)
Another meaning for Demos was “the people.” Not all people. Just free, male, and Athenian citizens. Members of the demos could, and were expected to, take part in the assembly. The assembly was the governing body of Athens.
The Assembly was also called the Demos. Blackwell states that “Much like the Constitution of the United States reads, ‘We the people…’ The Athenians called their governing body the Demos” (Blackwell, 2003) This meant that the decrees and actions of the assembly were the “people” united making the
The first reference to the demos in our reading this week was in relation to the reforms introduced to Athens by Cleisthenes. In a move to restructure Athenian politics, Cleisthenes split Athens into ten tribes. These ten tribes were made up of the people in subdivisions of land he carefully carved out in Athens. He made sure that the original factions were split randomly and scattered amongst the different subdivisions of land. In this instance, demos referred to a subdivision of land.
Before Cleisthenes’ reforms, the old factions -consisting of three groups- would block progress by their bickering and meddling. Cleisthenes’ restructuring was a desperate attempt to stop the unrest that was gripping Athens because of …show more content…
“The “men of the plains” were wealthy, usually aristocratic farmers. “The “men of the coast,” were prosperous merchants and traders as well as poorer fishermen. Finally, the “men of the Hill” were the urban poor in the city of Athens, and landless laborers and small farmers occupying marginal, low quality farmland in the rocky hill sides that aristocratic landholders did not want.” (Brand, N.D.)
The translation means “village”. It “was the smallest administrative unit of the Athenian state, like a voting precinct or school district” (Blackwell, 2003)
Another meaning for Demos was “the people.” Not all people. Just free, male, and Athenian citizens. Members of the demos could, and were expected to, take part in the assembly. The assembly was the governing body of Athens.
The Assembly was also called the Demos. Blackwell states that “Much like the Constitution of the United States reads, ‘We the people…’ The Athenians called their governing body the Demos” (Blackwell, 2003) This meant that the decrees and actions of the assembly were the “people” united making the