Percels and Radical Democracy

Democracy, one vote for one citizen, a voice in the decisions that govern society. Pericles introduced revolutionary changes to an idea that had been growing in Attica for a hundred years. Later to be known as radical democracy, Pericles expanded the ability of more Athenians to participate in the governing process, and equality in the eyes of the law from the poorest to the most wealthy. What factors played into these sweeping changes were far reaching and multi-layered, and Pericles was uniquely qualified to step into the role of innovator through family history, and education. Athens' model for democracy, the beginning of the idea that all people were created equal and deserving of voice in the affairs of humans, is often looked at as our model, yet time and again they show limits to that very idea, limits that we find incomprehensible.

Athens growing population with a prosperous middle class was a catalyst to a new form of governing. The 7th century B.C.E. shows all free born males eligible to vote on public matter during assembly, and they also voted for the Archons. The Archons were judges who settled civil disputes and criminal cases. Most Archons were from the elite classes as these were unpaid positions making it difficult for the working classes who had to work fields and jobs to provide support for their family. Whereas the Archons were elected by the people, they were still products of their society and most likely held the prejudice of class difference much closer to the front than would be seen today. Nobles were elites, and therefore more likely to be judged innocent or prevail in matters civil and criminal . Solon started the process by creating ranks in society based on wealth instead of birth effectively eliminating the Nobility . This structure also created the possibility of moving up in society, a possibility we still value today enough to call it the American dream.

Cleisthenes continued to build on what Solon began. As a member of the social upper class Cleisthenes would run for public office and found himself loosing, seeing the opportunity in the idea of more democracy for the masses. Cleisthenes was the leader who first broke the voting populace into demes, what we now would think of as districts, then he increased the Solons' Council of 400 to 500 to accommodate the larger number of representatives. These reforms succeeded because Cleisthenes grounded them in existing social norms, the demes were created with the feeling of the traditional family or small community where all men had a voice in the happenings of local affairs. This "discussion" of the needs of the larger community gave a feeling that all ideas, from lowly men to rich, were at least acknowledged.

Pericles was born in 495 B.C.E, the son of Xanthippus and Agariste. Xanthippus was a prominent military leader during the Persian war, and a prominent politician after. Agariste was from the powerful family Alcmaeonid, the niece of Cleisthenes who was also known as the Father of Democracy . Xanthippus suffered ostracism but was recalled early to lead the Athenians in the battle at Mycale and elected General for one year . Pericles was influenced early by instructors, who later became friends and advisors, most notably Zeno, Protagoras and Anaxagoras, all proponents of democracy.

As a people the Athenians became aware of their importance to the power and economic prosperity seemingly more than any other nation, most likely from the growing traditions of democratic ideas. The masses wanted to reform the judicial system as the legislature had been, to provide equality in judgment of civil and criminal cases. As