Exile in Athenian political development and historical imagination.

摘要

This study examines the role of exile in the political development of the Greek poleis from the seventh century to the end of the fifth century B.C. It is argued that the experience of exile both by groups of aristocrats and non-aristocrats served as a catalyst to political change and led to the democratization of political power in the polis. The expulsion of aristocrats by rival aristocrats in the struggle for dominance in the Archaic polis destabilized the polis since exiled aristocrats often fought to return to the polis and called on foreign powers to aid them. As a result, the non-aristocratic masses (demos) were compelled to become involved in the conflict between aristocrats and because the decisive factor in determining which aristocratic faction remained in the polis and which was removed. The historical role of the demos in determining the outcome of aristocratic conflict led to a recognition of the power of the demos to determine the political shape of the community and, in Athens, led to the establishment of a democratic political system.; In Athens, the institution of ostracism was at once a symbol of democratic power and a peaceful and moderate means of resolving political conflict. The Athenian democracy distinguished itself from other forms of political organization (tyranny, oligarchy) on the grounds of its more limited use of political expulsions. This ideology is traced in the representations of exile in the works of the historians Herodotus, Thucydides and Xenophon where exile is a significant criterion in characterizing the justice and legitimacy of different forms of rule.; The sale of poor Athenians into slavery abroad as a result of their debts is also examined. It is argued that the experience of exile by the poor caused unrest in the Archaic polis and led to the ideological and legal articulation of the right of all Athenians to reside freely on Athenian territory. Thus the exile of the poor led to an inclusive notion of citizenship and gave judicial powers to the poorest Athenians. These developments can be viewed as steps toward the democratization of the polis.