The blood privilege that came before democracy
Before democracy, Athens was ruled by the eupatridae, a blood aristocracy that blocked all innovation. Discover the kinship structure that k
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The blood aristocracy that preceded Athenian democracy
Long before democracy took hold in Athens, power was a matter of blood. The eupatridae — the "well-born" — monopolised government on the basis of their lineage. They called themselves that because they believed their right to rule came from nature itself. Around them grew a kinship structure, completely closed, whose main purpose was to block any innovation that might threaten their power.
The organisation of tribes and phratries
Society was divided into four phylai, or related tribes. Each of these tribes was in turn subdivided into three phratries, or brotherhoods. This web, derived from the concept of the genos (clan), formed a network that kept the aristocratic families at the centre of everything. Any attempt at reform ran into the resistance of those who believed their power derived from blood.
The run-up to democracy
That hermeticism generated inevitable tensions. The contradictions of a closed system made the pressure to open up power unsustainable. Democracy was born as a reaction to this exclusionary model.
Related discussions in the forum
Long before democracy took hold in Athens, power was a matter of blood. The eupatridae — the "well-born" — monopolised government on the basis of their lineage. They called themselves that because they believed their right to rule came from nature itself. Around them grew a kinship structure, completely closed, whose main purpose was to block any innovation that might threaten their power.
The organisation of tribes and phratries
Society was divided into four phylai, or related tribes. Each of these tribes was in turn subdivided into three phratries, or brotherhoods. This web, derived from the concept of the genos (clan), formed a network that kept the aristocratic families at the centre of everything. Any attempt at reform ran into the resistance of those who believed their power derived from blood.
The run-up to democracy
That hermeticism generated inevitable tensions. The contradictions of a closed system made the pressure to open up power unsustainable. Democracy was born as a reaction to this exclusionary model.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (4 replies).
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