The Greek City State in Urdu/Hindi | Part 1 |

Greek History is divided into four phases which start from the Mycenaean Period, then Dark Ages, The Archaic Ages, and lastly Classical Ages. At that time there were almost 1500 City-States. Originally one city-state was ruled by one king called Basileus. By 700 BCE, this Basileus was replaced by a group of three Archons. This includes Archon Eponymous, Archon Polymarch, and Archon Basileus. Gradually their number rose to 9. The government in Athens was in the hands of Aristocracy and Oligarchy.

From 500-300 BCE, Athens remained a democracy. Solon’s reforms, Cleisthenes’s reforms, reforms of Ephialtes and Pericles and changes of 404-403 BC are considered to be the causes of this democracy. When Solon became Archon Eponymous in 594 BCE, the forgive all the debts of poor farmers. He also classified the Athenian population into four property Classes. This includes Pentakosiomedimnoi, Hippies, Zeugitai, and Thetes. When Cleisthenes came he revised the Athenian constitution and known as the Father of Athenian Democracy. He divided Attica into 10 tribes. This division was based on Demes. There were 139 demes. Cleisthenes' major work is to make people participate in the political process of Athens.

Three major Political Institutions were there in Athens. This includes Ekklesia, Boule, and Dikasteria. It was compulsory for every male citizen to participate in Ekklesia. It meets 40 times a year. Vote of confidence, price of the corn, matter of defense and other things were discussed in this assembly. Any citizen could vote about anything and can speak about it. The decisions of the assembly were recorded and published. Assembly also heard the charges of Eisangelia, which was the accusation against the state.

Boule was the council and was in session throughout the year. 500 citizens were the member. And 600 magistrate assisted Boule in its executive functions. Its main functions include to set the agenda of the Assembly and to draft the proposal to be discussed on Ekklesia.

Dikasteria was the Athenian Court. 6,000 Athenian citizens were chosen as jurors. There was 10 kind of courts depending upon the kind of hearing and offense. The court was in session for about 200 days. The final decision was to be taken by hands.

Women were not allowed to participate in the Athenian political system. Only 50,000 out of 250,000-300,000 were male citizens. There were no emotional relations between men and women. Homosexuality was accepted and emotions like love existed between an old man and his young male lover.