Ecclesia (ancient Athens)

The Ekklesia (Greek ekklesia ἐκκλησία ) was a popular assembly in the cities ( poleis ) of ancient Greece. Their composition and political powers were designed differently in the cities. Besides ekklesia also other names came before.

A gathering of able-bodied men is mentioned in Homer. A special importance as a carrier of popular sovereignty was the Ekklesia in the democratic cities of the 5th and 4th century BC popular assemblies existed in the poleis even in Hellenistic and Roman times continued, but were limited in their scope from the Council bodies. In some cases, a separate meeting was created for the Ekklesia, the Ekklesiasterion.

Athens

At the time of the Athenian democracy, the Ekklesia was the supreme sovereign of Athens. To her were all male full citizens who were at least 18 years old, invited by Keryx ( Herold ). The right to vote they received, however, only after completing two years of military service. In the 4th century BC forty public meetings per year in office were prescribed in Athens. The Ekklesia was in the early days at the Agora, held since the time of Cleisthenes in the Pnyx, since the late 4th century BC in the Theatre of Dionysos. Of the approximately 35,000 to 40,000 full citizens of the classical period took on average probably in part to 6000; this number was also considered a quorum for important decisions. Women, metics and slaves were not allowed to participate. The Ekklesia was advised by the Bule ( "Council of 400 ", later "Council of 500 " ), which carried out the decisions ultimately.