Ancient Greek Governance: Athens and Sparta Compared

Forms of Government in Ancient Athens

Monarchy

The King was the supreme head of state, acting as a high priest and administrator of justice, though his power was limited.

Aristocracy

A government of the best, chosen from noble families. Power was divided among three magistracies:

• King Archon: A priest presiding over religious festivals and conducting trials.
• Eponymous Archon: The first judge, responsible for applying justice to citizens.
• Archon Polemarch: Held military command.

Additionally, six Thesmothetai (junior archons) were in charge of laws and judicial issues. The Council of the Areopagus, a lifelong position, handled city oversight and judicial matters.

Tyranny

Tyrants were noble leaders who gained power through strength and popular support, often breaking the power of the landed nobility. They contributed to the dissemination of the arts. A notable example was Pisistratus.

Democracy

Key institutions included:

• Ekklesia: An assembly for citizens over 18.
• Boule: The Council of 500, which approved government decrees and served as the cornerstone of democracy. Members were divided into tribes, with 30-50 members presiding as Prytaneis.
• Archons: Nine judges overseeing civil administration.
• Strategoi: Military commanders and judges of military operations.

Forms of Government in Sparta

Diarchy (Two Kings)

Two kings served as representatives of religious and military rule.

Ephors

Five judges who held significant power in Sparta. They acted as civilian and penal judges, inspected social order, and oversaw the education of the two kings.

Gerousia

A council of 28 men from noble families over the age of 60, presided over by the two kings. They acted as a criminal court.

Apella

An assembly of all citizens over 30. While only citizens held political rights, this body lacked significant decision-making power.

Law and Justice in Ancient Greece

Initially, law was administered by kings based on divine origin and was unwritten. By the 5th century BC, justice in Athens was administered by the people. Ostracism, created by Cleisthenes, allowed citizens to vote to exile individuals for 10 years if their name appeared on more than 6,000 pottery shards (ostraka).

Athenian Judicial Courts

• Areopagus: Located on the Hill of Ares; an ancient court with significant political influence until the reforms of Pericles.
• Palladium: Handled cases of manslaughter.
• Delphinium: Presided over by the King Archon for cases of excusable or legitimate homicide.
• Phreattys: A court for those already in exile who committed further homicide.
• Prytaneion: Handled cases involving unknown perpetrators, animals, or objects that caused death.
• Heliaia: A court of 6,000 citizens handling legal affairs.
• Boule: Punished acts violating public life and serious crimes. Penalties included fines, exile, or religious sanctions.