5.2 Social structure and citizenship in classical Athens

Athens' social structure was complex, with citizens at the top, followed by metics and slaves. The city's democracy allowed for some political participation across classes, but wealth and status still played a big role in influence and opportunities.

Citizenship came with rights like voting and jury duty, but also responsibilities like military service. Women, slaves, and foreigners had limited rights. Despite democratic ideals, social status often determined one's level of political engagement in Athens.

Athenian Social Hierarchy

Class Structure and Divisions

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• Athenian society stratified into distinct social classes with citizens at the top, followed by metics (resident foreigners), and slaves at the bottom
• Citizen class further divided into three main groups aristocracy (eupatridai), middle class (zeugitai), and lower class (thetes)
• Wealth and land ownership determined social status and political influence within Athenian society
• Solonian reforms in early 6th century BCE addressed social inequalities by canceling debts and freeing debt-slaves
• Concept of "liturgies" required wealthy citizens to fund public projects and services reinforced connection between wealth and social responsibility
  • Examples of liturgies included financing theatrical productions (chorēgia) and equipping warships (trierarchy)
• Social mobility limited but not impossible with some individuals improving status through military service, business success, or marriage alliances
  • Example Cleon, a tanner who rose to prominence as a political leader during the Peloponnesian War

Influence of Democracy on Social Structure

• Athenian social structure influenced by city's democratic system allowed for some degree of political participation across social classes
• Democracy created opportunities for lower-class citizens to engage in politics and public life
• Reforms like ostracism provided a mechanism for citizens to temporarily remove powerful individuals from the city
• Tension between traditional aristocratic values and democratic ideals shaped social dynamics
• Public spaces like the Agora served as meeting grounds for citizens of different social backgrounds
  • Facilitated exchange of ideas and social interaction across class lines

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Citizenship Acquisition and Political Rights

• Athenian citizenship typically inherited through patrilineal descent with both parents required to be citizens for their children to attain citizenship status
• Male citizens had right to participate in Athenian democracy including voting in Assembly (Ekklesia) and serving on juries in law courts
• Citizens eligible for election to various public offices including Council of 500 (Boule) and position of archon
• Concept of "isonomia" (equality before the law) fundamental principle of Athenian citizenship although application varied in practice
  • Example All citizens theoretically equal before the law, but wealth and social connections often influenced legal outcomes

Civic Duties and Obligations

• Military service key responsibility of male citizens expected to serve in army or navy when called upon
  • Citizens required to provide their own equipment based on their wealth class (hoplite armor for middle and upper classes)
• Citizens had right to own property, engage in commerce, and pursue legal action in Athenian courts
• Athenian citizenship came with religious duties including participation in state-sponsored festivals and rituals
  • Examples Panathenaea festival, Dionysia theater festival
• Payment of taxes (eisphora) and participation in public works projects expected of citizens
• Obligation to uphold and defend the laws and democratic institutions of Athens

Status of Women, Slaves, and Foreigners

Women's Roles and Limitations

• Athenian women regardless of social class excluded from citizenship and had limited legal rights primarily confined to domestic roles
• Women's primary responsibilities included managing household, raising children, and participating in certain religious festivals
  • Example Thesmophoria festival exclusively for citizen women
• Legal and economic rights of women restricted required male guardian (kyrios) for legal transactions
• Some women gained influence through religious roles (priestesses) or informal political connections
  • Example Aspasia, companion of Pericles, known for her intellectual influence

Slavery and Metic Status

• Slavery fundamental institution in Athens with slaves performing various roles in agriculture, industry, domestic service, and mining
• Slaves had no legal rights and considered property although some could earn freedom through manumission
  • Example Slaves working in silver mines at Laurion faced harsh conditions
• Metics (resident foreigners) occupied intermediate status between citizens and slaves allowed to engage in trade and pay taxes but excluded from political participation
• Some metics achieved prominence in Athenian society as merchants, craftsmen, or intellectuals but faced limitations on property ownership and marriage rights
  • Example Lysias, a metic orator who played a significant role in Athenian legal and political life

Cultural and Legal Justifications

• Status of these groups justified and reinforced through cultural norms, religious beliefs, and legal structures in Athenian society
• Aristotelian philosophy argued for natural hierarchy justifying subordination of women and slaves
• Legal system codified restrictions on non-citizens limiting their rights and opportunities
• Religious practices both reinforced and occasionally challenged social hierarchies
  • Example Eleusinian Mysteries open to all Greek speakers including slaves and women

Social Status vs Political Participation

Democratic Principles and Social Reality

• Athenian democracy allowed for broader political participation compared to other Greek city-states but access still limited by social status and gender
• Principle of "isegoria" (equality of speech) theoretically allowed all citizens to speak in Assembly regardless of social class
• Practice of sortition (selection by lot) for many public offices aimed to reduce influence of wealth and status on political appointments
  • Example Selection of most members of the Boule (Council of 500) by lot

Wealth, Education, and Political Influence

• Wealth and education often correlated with greater political influence as wealthier citizens had more time and resources to engage in public affairs
• Reforms by leaders like Ephialtes and Pericles in 5th century BCE aimed to increase political participation among lower-class citizens
  • Introduction of payment (misthos) for jury service and attendance at Assembly meetings
• Despite democratic reforms wealthiest and most prominent families (Alcmaeonidae) continued to exert significant influence in Athenian politics
• Periclean citizenship law of 451/450 BCE restricted citizenship to those with Athenian parentage on both sides further linking social status to political rights
• Rhetoric and public speaking skills crucial for political success favored those with education and training
  • Example Sophists provided education in rhetoric and argumentation primarily accessible to wealthy citizens