Aristocrats

Notes:

- Aristocrats: members of the ruling class
- They attended symposiums, meetings where the elite men would enjoy wine and poetry, performances by dancers and acrobats, and the company of hetaeras (courtesans) while discussing politics

Politics: an exclusive club

- no women (except the "entertainment")
- no middle class
- certainly, no slaves
- what do you do if you're on the outside

Tyrants seize control

- sometimes aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites (well-armed soldiers), and set up an alternative form gov't called a tyranny
- tyrant: someone who rules outside the framework of the polis
- modern meaning of tyrant: an abusive or oppressive ruler
- Greek meaning of tyrant: someone who simply seized power (usually with hoplite help)

Rules, Codes, and Laws:

Draco (621 BCE)
- All Athenians ( rich and poor) are equal under the law
- But death is the punishment for many crimes
- Debt slavery is OK (work as a slave to repay debts)

Solon's reforms (594 BCE)
- outlaws debt slavery
- all Athenian citizens can speak at the assembly
- any citizens can press charges against wrongdoers