Stasis (political history)
Encyclopedia
Stasis is a term in Greek political history
. It refers to the constant feuds between aristocrats
in archaic Greece
, struggling about who is the best (aristos is Greek for "the best") both in terms of prestige and property. It led to various Civil war
s and the establishment of Tyrannies
in many cities of ancient Greece, most notably the Tyranny of Peisistratos
in Athens
.
, it was the goal of all men of honour in archaic Greece to always be the first and superior to the others. This ideal was called the Aristenein- or Aristie-Ideal. In Homer
's days, this ideal was mainly based on performance skills in speaking and fighting, and included wisdom, self-restraint, loyalty, and bravery (e.g., leading armies in the front row). For decades, prestige, which was a requisite for might, originated from speaking ability and military virtues. This is told for the cases of both Solon
and Peisistratos
by Herodotus
and by Aristotle
in the Athenaion Politeia. In addition to that, success at the Olympic Games, especially in the field of Four-horse racing, was a peaceful way to gain prestige.
didn't have a fixed state order or instruments of power that belonged only to the state, the aristocrats could compete violently for charges and property. As a result, when the methods became more and more violent, aristocrats and their oikoi (families and followers) were engaged in civil wars against each other. In the Beginning of the 6th century, the situation worsened more and more, so that the aristocrats of Athens
made Solon a lawmaker and arbitrator. The result were the Solonic Reforms. From then on, the term tyrannos (tyrant) became increasingly connoted with violence and lawless might, a development, which was fruitful only after the death of Solons successor Peisistratos
.
. Thus, aristocrats like Callias
and Cimon had to struggle for prestige by winning in Olympia or showing off their wealth, not by becoming tyrants, while Miltiades the Elder
emigrated from Athens and became head of a colony.
Political history
Political history is the narrative and analysis of political events, ideas, movements, and leaders. It is distinct from, but related to, other fields of history such as Diplomatic history, social history, economic history, and military history, as well as constitutional history and public...
. It refers to the constant feuds between aristocrats
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
in archaic Greece
Archaic period in Greece
The Archaic period in Greece was a period of ancient Greek history that followed the Greek Dark Ages. This period saw the rise of the polis and the founding of colonies, as well as the first inklings of classical philosophy, theatre in the form of tragedies performed during Dionysia, and written...
, struggling about who is the best (aristos is Greek for "the best") both in terms of prestige and property. It led to various Civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
s and the establishment of Tyrannies
Tyrant
A tyrant was originally one who illegally seized and controlled a governmental power in a polis. Tyrants were a group of individuals who took over many Greek poleis during the uprising of the middle classes in the sixth and seventh centuries BC, ousting the aristocratic governments.Plato and...
in many cities of ancient Greece, most notably the Tyranny of Peisistratos
Peisistratos (Athens)
Peisistratos was a tyrant of Athens from 546 to 527/8 BC. His legacy lies primarily in his institution of the Panathenaic Festival and the consequent first attempt at producing a definitive version for Homeric epics. Peisistratos' championing of the lower class of Athens, the Hyperakrioi, can be...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
The Aristenein-Ideal
According to the IliadIliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
, it was the goal of all men of honour in archaic Greece to always be the first and superior to the others. This ideal was called the Aristenein- or Aristie-Ideal. In Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
's days, this ideal was mainly based on performance skills in speaking and fighting, and included wisdom, self-restraint, loyalty, and bravery (e.g., leading armies in the front row). For decades, prestige, which was a requisite for might, originated from speaking ability and military virtues. This is told for the cases of both Solon
Solon
Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in archaic Athens...
and Peisistratos
Peisistratos (Athens)
Peisistratos was a tyrant of Athens from 546 to 527/8 BC. His legacy lies primarily in his institution of the Panathenaic Festival and the consequent first attempt at producing a definitive version for Homeric epics. Peisistratos' championing of the lower class of Athens, the Hyperakrioi, can be...
by Herodotus
Herodotus
Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus, Caria and lived in the 5th century BC . He has been called the "Father of History", and was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent and arrange them in a...
and by Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
in the Athenaion Politeia. In addition to that, success at the Olympic Games, especially in the field of Four-horse racing, was a peaceful way to gain prestige.
The resulting Civil wars
Since ancient Athens before SolonSolon
Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in archaic Athens...
didn't have a fixed state order or instruments of power that belonged only to the state, the aristocrats could compete violently for charges and property. As a result, when the methods became more and more violent, aristocrats and their oikoi (families and followers) were engaged in civil wars against each other. In the Beginning of the 6th century, the situation worsened more and more, so that the aristocrats of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
made Solon a lawmaker and arbitrator. The result were the Solonic Reforms. From then on, the term tyrannos (tyrant) became increasingly connoted with violence and lawless might, a development, which was fruitful only after the death of Solons successor Peisistratos
Peisistratos (Athens)
Peisistratos was a tyrant of Athens from 546 to 527/8 BC. His legacy lies primarily in his institution of the Panathenaic Festival and the consequent first attempt at producing a definitive version for Homeric epics. Peisistratos' championing of the lower class of Athens, the Hyperakrioi, can be...
.
The stasis under Peisistratos
After Solon's retirement from Athenian politics, the struggle for might continued, because the Athenian society wasn't ready for a fixed state order yet. Under Peisistratos' regime, the stasis continued, but only for charges under the tyrant, thus both securing him by appeasing the other aristocrats, and accustoming them to fixed charges given by a ruler, which paved the way for the reforms of CleisthenesCleisthenes
Cleisthenes was a noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family. He is credited with reforming the constitution of ancient Athens and setting it on a democratic footing in 508/7 BC...
. Thus, aristocrats like Callias
Callias
Callias was the head of a wealthy Athenian family, and fought at the Battle of Marathon in priestly attire. His son, Hipponicus, was also a military commander...
and Cimon had to struggle for prestige by winning in Olympia or showing off their wealth, not by becoming tyrants, while Miltiades the Elder
Miltiades the Elder
Miltiades the Elder was a member of an immensely wealthy Athenian noble family, the Philaids. He is said to have opposed the tyrant Peisistratus, which may explain why he left Athens around 550 BC to found a colony in the Thracian Chersonese . The colony was semi-independent of Athens and was...
emigrated from Athens and became head of a colony.
Sources
- Heinrich Schlange-Schöningen: "Harmodius and AristogeitonHarmodius and AristogeitonHarmodius and Aristogeiton were two men from ancient Athens...
", in: Alexander DemandtAlexander DemandtAlexander Demandt is a German historian. He was professor of ancient history at the Free University of Berlin from 1974 to 2005. Demandt is a renowned expert of the History of Rome.-References:...
(Ed.): "Das Attentat in der Geschichte", Augsburg 2002, p. 27-36