The main sources for the Athenian constitution are Aristotle’s Athenian Constitution, the Epitaph speech of Pericles in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War and the many contemporary speeches of Attic orators and inscriptions.
The reforms of Ephialtes |
The Athenians were much concerned with reinforcing and maintaining their democracy. In order to deal with aspiring tyrants, the systems of ostracism and graphe paranomon (the law against unconstitutional proposals) were instituted. Councillors swore an oath to denounce anyone who tried to undermine democracy, or who was implicated in any attempt to promote tyranny. |
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