The Nature of Athenian Hoplite Democracy

Abstract

For many scholars, classical Athens did not and could not have avoided the implications of its dependence upon the military, even before it degenerated into imperialism. In a more disturbing way than Sparta or Persia, Athens exemplified the inevitable relationship of military might and antidemocratic principles. It is my negative thesis that this line of reasoning is incorrect, notwithstanding its virtue of appreciating the significance of the military, including its socioeconomic underpinnings, in ancient Athens. It is my positive thesis that hoplites were a cause of the extension of full political participation for a major part of the Athenian citizenry in the face of aristocratic and other traditional obstacles to democratic practices. There is no reason to believe the forces of aristocratic privilege or tyrannical authority would have had to give way to democratic forces had the iron link between aristocracy and military security remained intact. While the hoplite phalanx could not guarantee the development of democracy, neither could economic change no matter how pervasive, nor political philosophy no matter how profound.