What demos?According to the definitions of dictionaries, it is - free people, not related to the aristocracy, but possessing full civil rights.The word has come to us from ancient Greece (demos - people).Thus, understand what it means demos help of the history.Let's go back to the events of bygone days ...
Fighting aristocrats
struggle between the aristocracy and the demos started at the beginning of the VI century BC.What are the demos actually, and as a strong part of the society, aristocrats understood very quickly.The rebels demanded the right to govern the country, the abolition of slavery (debt) and the redistribution of land.
frightened bloody clashes and rumors about the imminent general uprising, aristocrats frantically searched for a way out.At the public meeting convened he was elected governor by the name of Solon.This person is respected and the "lower classes" and "up".That is what staked aristocracy, hoping that Solon could reconcile the parties to reach a compromise and without bloodshed.The new governor came from a rather distinguished family, but to the rich are not treated.He was engaged in maritime trade (the honorable thing in Greece), it was clever and exceptionally honest.
Solon took control of Athens.He began with the establishment of new laws, which once recorded on large wooden boards, and put on the area for information.It was 504 BC.e.
reforms of Solon
reform, in fact, means transformation.What are the changes introduced Solon?
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off (removed) debt stones (freed hostages and banned the sale into slavery and personal servitude).
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change the system of weights and measures.
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encourage the development of crafts and trade.
was conducted and political reform.
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all natives of Attica (male) were declared citizens have the same duties and rights.However, it was introduced the division of society into classes, where in the first place were the aristocrats, the second - the squad, the third - the demos for them - slaves.
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National Assembly was the highest organ of expression of the will of the population.
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Judges could now become not only the nobles, and the demos.
abolition of slavery
Debt stones from the fields were removed.Farmers were jubilant: finally debts forgiven!Knowing what the demos, easy to understand, to know that the "hold" just due cornered ordinary people.Some enriched, others more impoverished.The land of Attica was named Solon slave, which was finally released.What, in fact, true.Now, according to the law of the venerable Archon, a person could borrow only on their property.Pay debtor slavery was forbidden.On the freedom of all debtors were released.Moreover, Solon ordered to track down those sold overseas, and to redeem, and the money of the state.Among the returnees, some have forgotten their native language.
now in Athens slaves were just strangers.
Know deprived of benefits
Now aristocrats could not run the country as before.Archon could be any rich person, regardless of the level of nobility.Representatives of the demos, who managed to get rich through maritime trade with ships and owning houses, land and slaves, too, could take this position.The most important affairs of state are now solved only in a general national assembly, which was attended by all citizens (free Athenians).
electoral court was established and abolished most brutal laws.For the first time the jury could become poor by 30 years, the accused earlier.The judge determined by drawing lots.Attend the hearing have the right to all Athenians.After the speeches, prosecutors, witnesses and the accused began a secret ballot, which was carried out by throwing stones in one vessel (Black - "guilty", white - to "justify").Immediately conducted and counting: the decision of the court depended on some stones were more, and if the votes are equally divided, the defendant is released.It would seem that a compromise has been found, a truce is reached.However ...
Solon leave Athens
What demos, and what it looks like from the inside, and soon learned the governor-elect."Landed in the affairs of the great all at once is difficult ... Once all rejoiced, but now I see off the evil eye ...»
In fact, Solon is not just anyone is not pleased (though he did a lot), he also brought hatredon himself.The rich were embittered the cancellation of debt and deprivation of gratuitous labor, the poor also want land redistribution.Solon decided to leave the country for alleged commercial matters.He traveled for many years, and then still come back to their homeland."Like a wolf I hovered amid the dogs ...»
But it is the laws of Solon became the basis of democracy.
