Ephialtes' Democratic Reforms in Athens
In 462/461 BCE the Athenian politician Ephialtes, working in alliance with the young Pericles, enacted the most decisive step in the development of Athenian radical democracy: he stripped the Areopagus — the ancient council of former archons — of nearly all its political and supervisory powers and transferred them to the popular institutions of the polis. The Areopagus was one of Athens' oldest institutions. Originally the primary governing council, it had retained, even after Solon's and Cleisthenes' reforms, broad powers to scrutinise officials, oversee the constitution, and try serious cases. Its membership consisted of former archons serving for life — meaning it was an aristocratic body insulated from annual democratic accountability. For the oligarchic faction in Athenian politics it was a bastion; for democrats, an obstacle. Ephialtes' timing was precise. The Spartan alliance had sent Athenian troops to help suppress a helot revolt in Messenia (the Third Messenian War), and the leading figure of the pro-Spartan, conservative faction in Athens — Cimon — was absent with this force. When the Spartans abruptly dismissed the Athenian contingent, apparently suspicious of democratic contagion, Cimon returned humiliated. Ephialtes exploited the political opening. The reform law transferred the Areopagus's nomophylakia (guardianship of the laws) to the Council of Five Hundred; its powers to try public officials were given to the people's courts (dikasteria); its oversight of religious and constitutional matters was divided between the Assembly and the courts. The Areopagus retained only jurisdiction over homicide and a few religious offences — a ceremonial role it holds to this day. The consequences were immediate. Cimon was ostracised. Athens rapidly developed its democratic empire: the Delian League was converted into an Athenian tributary system, jury pay was introduced (under Pericles), and citizenship was restricted (451 BCE) to those born of two Athenian parents — tightening the demos while expanding its power. Ephialtes was assassinated shortly after the reforms, probably by oligarchic opponents; Pericles, his protégé, inherited the democratic leadership and dominated Athenian politics for the next three decades.
- Year: 462 BCE
- Category: Political
