Joe Mann
Professor Trumbach
History Homework #1
Athens has been governed by many different kinds of governments and rulers
throughout different periods of time. The Athenians were forced to adapt to a certain
diverse regimes for there to be stability throughout all of the Athenian people, which
includes the rich and the indigent; even though at times one of the two would be
disregarded.
A) Time of Epimenides
Epimenides was known being the man who purified Athens. During this time a
persons status was based on their family name, as well as their wealth.
B) The Age of Oligarchical Rule
In this stage the peasants were dominated by the aristocrats in every area of
living. Either they were slaves who worked the land of the rich for one-sixth to have this
“privilege”; or the poor had barren land and were forced to take loans in exchange of
giving their offspring as collateral. During that time, officials of the governing body
would routinely be from the aristocrats, these officials would serve for long terms when
held in office. Also there was the council of Areopagus, which would watch over, and
enforce the laws. Appointment of the Archons was based on wealth and birth.
C) Time of Medon (some believe also known as Time of Acastas)
Well during that time, the most vital officials were the basileus, the polemarch,
and the archon. There were nine archons who would all work together. The terms for
officials would be diminished from life to ten years and later to one year.
