PHIL101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Meletus, Anytus, Athenian Democracy

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Philosophy at St Joseph's College
• Course: PHIL101
• Professor: Marie- Eve Morin

Document Summary

No authority in athens higher than the people. Public assembly (any male citizen over 20, normally ~ 6000 people) These people change every year and rotate who is in charge every month. Everyone has a chance to participate in the offices. People"s court (501 jurors) (this is what socrates was talking in front of) All the citizens go to talk about political matters. Anybody can initiate a public lawsuit (prosecutor = chief witness) No judge, no appellate court, all trials last one day. (no lawyers either) This war was before the trial of socrates. War between athens (democracy) and sparta (tyranny) Athens, the strongest city-state in greece is almost completly devastated and subjected to spartan rule. In 404, new pro-spartan government in athens (thirty tyrants) In 403, democracy is reinstated in athens (coup) It was difficult for the democracy to work. Trial of the generals (in 406 bce)