Cover sheet for student assignments

Name: Wendell Bryant E-mail: wendell.bryant@iwp.edu

Degree: Master of Arts in Statecraft and National Security
Course: IWP 697 Ancient and Modern Democracy
Assignment: The Council of Areopagus Date: 19 JUNE 2022
Title of assignment: Governmental Presentation
Instructor: Professor Maggidis E-mail: maggidischris@gmail.com

Declaration
1. Word count:
2. This paper represents my own work, or group work prepared in accordance with the
instructions relating to the particular course.
3. Material from the work of others has been acknowledged, and all quotations and paraphrases
suitably indicated; I understand the consequences of plagiarism as described in the IWP
Academic Handbook.
Signed: Wendell P. Bryant III

Date: 18JUN2022
The Council of Areopagus

• Though its official title was “The Council of Areopagus, it was almost always referred to
as simply “Areopagus.”
• It was the original governing body of Athens, before it became a democracy. The way it
was designed through operations, manning, and power changed many times throughout
history
• However, when Athens became a democracy, its primary purpose became that of a
judicial system that was utilized for homicide and other serious crimes
• As democracy grew, Areopagus’s influence and power dwindled. Old institutions
operating with the intent to protect the elite prior to a democratic Athens such as
Areopagus were bureaucratic mazes rife with corruption
• Areopagus in many regards would be considered a version of the American Supreme
Court
o In comparison the United States Supreme Court has jurisdiction over 330 million
citizens and another 50 million legal immigrants and illegal aliens
o Athens on the other hand had a population between 150,000 and 610,000 during
its time as a democracy, however this population estimation is highly misleading
because free male citizens, resident aliens, and families numbered between 40,000
and 110,000 leaving the remainder of the population as slaves. The estimated total
of slaves was between 150,000 and 400,000
o To more accurately understand governmental operations on any level within
Athens, the entirety of the population would have been drastically smaller than
the entire population of Washington D.C. Those participating in the legal process
would be less than ¼ of the city
o Therefore, Areopagus would have operated more like a small city court and less
like the national legal bodies that exist around the world today
• Areopagus was considered the most honorable and just institution within the city,
considered to be above reproach
• The court went to great lengths to ensure that the proceedings for every case were always
fair and justice
• Though court cases were heavily legalistic, there was a strong element of divine justice
• The court operated in a winner-take-all manner
o Those who brought accusations of a crime to the court would take an oath to the
gods invoking death and destruction on his legacy
o The accuser additionally has no power over the accused regardless of the verdict,
only the laws on the officers of the Areopagus have any authority in the
operations of the court
• The court justices consisted of 9 officials, all of which were prior archons and the
appointment was for life
• It was thought that by design this court was more professional because it was less likely
to have jurors that could be swayed by skillful speakers
o It was far more likely that individuals in Areopagus were going to found guilty
• Specifically, Areopagus was for deliberate murders or attempted murders
o Deliberate murders would be what is called 1st Degree Murders with an element
of force i.e., spears, swords, knives, etc. and would not include poison,
 manslaughter, or conspiracy to murder
• Demosthenes described Areopagus purpose was “to be the guard against vengeful
murder”
o Areopagus also heard cases of assault and wounding
• Areopagus could punish not only the assailants, but accessories as well
• It was a regular practice for the 9 court officers to independently investigate each court
cases on their own and apply their own knowledge, experience, and legal understanding
when making their final judgements
• Areopagus was used in some cases to force exile rather than risk conviction, because of
the conviction rate
o The accused had the right to leave the city instead of seeing the trial to its
conclusion, making the decision for most accused relatively easy because of the
likelihood of their conviction was high regardless of innocence
• The Areopagus court was eventually expanded to religious sanctity around 352 BC
• At the end of the century, the court saw at least one case focused on a housing situation,
but there is limited information on what this entailed
• During the 340s BC where there was conflict between Athens and Macedonia, the
Areopagus was granted new authority and power
o There is historical documentation that shows the Areopagus being granted
additional powers during times of war
 These powers included direct governance, mostly during a power vacuum
following a defeat
• There is limited evidence that prior to the democratic system and its coupling with the
Areopagus, that it initially was an elite controlled body
• It was by some accounts modified to select individuals by lot in the 6th century which
made it extremely democratic, compared to its initial use
• Many tyrants would modify archon selection and therefore officer selection for
Areopagus in an attempt to influence and exert more control over the court
• It is clear in the 6th century that depending on the tyrant in control, influenced how the
archons were selected
o Some wanted significant influence, others were attempting to make the legal
system as fair as they possibly could
• Regardless for every step backward, the Athenians took two steps forward in concert with
their movement towards democracy
• Ephialtes greatest political triumph was reforming Areopagus
o These reforms made the court significantly more controlled and limited ultimately
providing the proper environment for a fully functioning democracy to emerge
o His reforms effectively set Areopagus within the bounds initially discussed with
an intent to focus on the highest and most egregious forms of murder
o It is also mentioned that juries of other courts were paid by the state which would
provide Athens a greater likelihood of a fair and just legal system
• The age of the 30 Tyrants destroyed the vast majority of progress Athens had made in
both the legal system and in democracy itself
o 404 BC marked a time where Areopagus was more of an illusion of legal justice
than actual justice
• The 30 tyrants were overthrown within the year and democracy was reestablished
• The Athenians placed great emphasis on reestablishing Areopagus believing it to be a
vital part of rebuilding the democratic foundations of Athens
• Areopagus exercised its authority in times of crisis to help evacuate the city during the
Persian Wars, during the Macedonian War, following massive defeats, the court even
prosecuted those who fled battle as deserters
• In the 4th century BC, we see Areopagus intervene in at least 2 already decided matters
o It is observed that the court exercises a republic mentality or elitist mentality
because it has more access to information than the Athenian people
o They changed a verdict on a criminal charge and the proceeded to change the
selection of the ambassador (believing him to be a traitor)
• It is also observed that special investigations were on going during these times
 Faculh' feedback on student assignment§

Name................................................ E-mail.. ......................................

Course.............................................. Date..........................................
Title of assignment....................................................................................
In.structor... .. ..................................... E--mail ......... maggidischris@gmaH.com

The following area.s need further care and attention:

DClarity of central thesis D Checking for typing errors

D Supporting evidence and examples D Presentation
D Integrationof evidence into argumentation □ Bibliography

DCoherent structure of paragraphs & transitions

□ Referencing
D Grammar
D Spelling
□ Reading

c,,mments □ Delivery

Provisional Grade: A+ A A- C+ C C- F
B+ B B- 0+ D I).

Revision required: Yes No Signed.........................