DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.13851#0103
OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT Of ATHENS.
ed an ox, cut into small pieces, to Delphian Apollo, thereby signifying
the union and agreement of the cities which they represented. Their
determinations were always received with a great deal of respect and
veneration, and held inviolable; the Grecians being always ready to
join against those that rejected them as common enemies.
An assembly of neighbouring cities, met to consult about the common
good, seems usually to have been called A^ty.rvona ; and beside the fa-
mous one already spoken of, Strabo mentions another, held in the temple
of Neptune at Troezen, at which the delegates of the seven following
states were present, viz. Hermione, Epidaurus, iEgina, Athens, the Per-
sians, Nauplians, and the Orchomenians of Bceotia(1).
CHAP. XVII.
OF THE ATHENIAN ExxXtjCjoU, OR PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES.
EKKAHSIA, was an assembly of the people met together according to
law, to consult about the good of the commonwealth. It consisted of all
such as were freemen of Athens, of what quality soever, as has been else-
where mentioned. But such as had been punished with infamy («<n/i-»'a).
slaves, foreigners, women, and children, were excluded. In the reign of
Cecrops, women are said to have been allowed voices in the popular as-
sembly : where Minerva contending with Neptune, which of them two
should be declared protector of Athens, and gaining the women to her
party, is reported, by their voices, which were more numerous than
those of the men, to have obtained the victory (2). It was of two sorts ,
the first of which they called Ku^i'a, the other HuyxXriros.
Kujjiai, were so called, <*tfo ts jcu^sTv rot 4'*#'(J>a'''aJ because in them the
people confirmed and ratified the decrees of the senate ; or rather be-
cause they were held upon ypsgat xu^i'ai, or agKtps'Jxi 5 vofjii^oi, days stated
and appointed by law (3).
They were held four times in five-and-thirty days, which was the time
that each n^urocvsia, or company of prytanes, presided in the senate. The
first assembly was employed in approving and rejecting magistrates, in
hearing actions called ^Idttyys'ktai, and proposals concerning the public
good ; as also in hearing the catalogue of such possessions, as were con-
fiscated for the service of the commonwealth, and several other things.
The second made provision both for the community and private persons ;
and it was permitted every man to prefer any petition, or speak his judg-
ment concerning either of them. In the third, audience was given to the
ambassadors of foreign states. The fourth was wholly taken up with
religion,,and matters relating to the divine worship (4). At this time
the prytanes, who were obliged 3-usjv has-ors xoimj, every day to offer sacri-
fices for the public safety, seem to have acquainted the assembly with the
success of their devotions after this manner: 'It is just and meet, O
Athenians, as has been customary with you, that we should take care
(1) Geogr. lib. vii. (3) Suidas. Aristoph. Schol. Acharn.
(2) Varro apud Sanctum Augustinum de ci- (4) Pollux, lib. viii. cap. 8,
vitate Dei. lib. xviii. cap. 9.
11
ed an ox, cut into small pieces, to Delphian Apollo, thereby signifying
the union and agreement of the cities which they represented. Their
determinations were always received with a great deal of respect and
veneration, and held inviolable; the Grecians being always ready to
join against those that rejected them as common enemies.
An assembly of neighbouring cities, met to consult about the common
good, seems usually to have been called A^ty.rvona ; and beside the fa-
mous one already spoken of, Strabo mentions another, held in the temple
of Neptune at Troezen, at which the delegates of the seven following
states were present, viz. Hermione, Epidaurus, iEgina, Athens, the Per-
sians, Nauplians, and the Orchomenians of Bceotia(1).
CHAP. XVII.
OF THE ATHENIAN ExxXtjCjoU, OR PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES.
EKKAHSIA, was an assembly of the people met together according to
law, to consult about the good of the commonwealth. It consisted of all
such as were freemen of Athens, of what quality soever, as has been else-
where mentioned. But such as had been punished with infamy («<n/i-»'a).
slaves, foreigners, women, and children, were excluded. In the reign of
Cecrops, women are said to have been allowed voices in the popular as-
sembly : where Minerva contending with Neptune, which of them two
should be declared protector of Athens, and gaining the women to her
party, is reported, by their voices, which were more numerous than
those of the men, to have obtained the victory (2). It was of two sorts ,
the first of which they called Ku^i'a, the other HuyxXriros.
Kujjiai, were so called, <*tfo ts jcu^sTv rot 4'*#'(J>a'''aJ because in them the
people confirmed and ratified the decrees of the senate ; or rather be-
cause they were held upon ypsgat xu^i'ai, or agKtps'Jxi 5 vofjii^oi, days stated
and appointed by law (3).
They were held four times in five-and-thirty days, which was the time
that each n^urocvsia, or company of prytanes, presided in the senate. The
first assembly was employed in approving and rejecting magistrates, in
hearing actions called ^Idttyys'ktai, and proposals concerning the public
good ; as also in hearing the catalogue of such possessions, as were con-
fiscated for the service of the commonwealth, and several other things.
The second made provision both for the community and private persons ;
and it was permitted every man to prefer any petition, or speak his judg-
ment concerning either of them. In the third, audience was given to the
ambassadors of foreign states. The fourth was wholly taken up with
religion,,and matters relating to the divine worship (4). At this time
the prytanes, who were obliged 3-usjv has-ors xoimj, every day to offer sacri-
fices for the public safety, seem to have acquainted the assembly with the
success of their devotions after this manner: 'It is just and meet, O
Athenians, as has been customary with you, that we should take care
(1) Geogr. lib. vii. (3) Suidas. Aristoph. Schol. Acharn.
(2) Varro apud Sanctum Augustinum de ci- (4) Pollux, lib. viii. cap. 8,
vitate Dei. lib. xviii. cap. 9.
11