Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

CHAPTER XI. Of the Athenian Magistrates.

THE Magistrates of Athens are divided by Aeschines (a) 1.1 into Three sorts, the Ground of which Distinction, is taken from the different methods of their Election, and Promotion.

1. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were such as receiv'd their Dignity from the People, met together in a Lawful Assembly, and were so call'd from the manner of their Election, in which the People gave their Votes by holding up their Hands.

2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were those that ow'd their Promotion to Lots, which were drawn by the Thesmothetae, in Theseus's Temple.

3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were extraordinary Officers, appointed by the whole Peo∣ple, or particular Tribes, to take care of any Business; such were the Surveyors of the publick Works, and such like.

According to Solon's Constitutions, no Man was capable of being a Magistrate, except he was possess'd of a considerable Estate; but by Aristides's means, the Poorer sort were admitted to a share in the ma∣nagement of the Government, and every Free Denizon rendred ca∣pable of appearing for the highest Preferments. Yet such was the Mo∣desty of the Commons, that they left the chief Offices, and such as the care of the Common-wealth depended upon, to Persons of superiour Quality, aspiring no higher, than the management of petty and tri∣vial Businesses (b) 1.2.

But tho' no Man's Quality, or Condition, could exempt him from bearing publick Offices, yet his course of Life, and Behaviour might; for if any Man had liv'd a Vitious, and Scandalous Life, he was thought unworthy of the meanest Office; it being improbable that a a Person, that could not behave himself so as to gain Reputation in a private Capacity, should be able to demean himself Prudently and Wisely in a publick Station; or that he, who had neglected his own Concerns, or fail'd in the management of them, should be capable of undertaking publick Business, and providing for the Common-wealth. And therefore before any Man was admitted to a publick Employ, he was oblig'd to give an account of himself, and his past Life, before cer∣tain Judges in the Forum, which was the Place appointed for this Exami∣nation, which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (c) 1.3. Nor was this alone thought sufficient, for tho' at this time they past the Tryal with Credit, yet in the first Ordinary Assembly after their Election, they were a second time brought to the Test, when, if any thing Scandalous was alledg'd, and made out against them, they were depriv'd of their Honours (d) 1.4.

And when their Offices were expir'd, they were oblig'd to give an account of their Management to the Notaries, and the Logistae, which was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and if any neglected to do it, or, had not undergon the former Probation, the People were forbidden, by an express Law, to present him with a Crown, which was the usual Re∣ward of such as had gain'd themselves Honour and Reputation, by ••he careful and wise Management of publick Employments. Also till ••heir Accounts were pass'd, they w••re not permitted to Sue (a) 1.5 for any other Office, or Place of Trust, or to Travel into any Forreign Coun∣••••ey, or to dispose of their Estates, or any part of them, whether by Will, or Consecrating them to Pious uses, or any other way; but the whole was to remain entire, that in case they should be found to have embezzl'd the Publick Revenues, the City might not loose by ••hem (b) 1.6.

The Day in which the Magistrates entred upon their Offices, was the ••irst of Hecatombaeon, the first Month in the Athenian Calendar; it was a Solemn Festival, which from the occasion had the Name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and was celebrated with all the expressions of Mirth, and Joy us'd at ••uch publick Days. Also Sacrifices were Offer'd to the Gods by the Senators, and most of the other Magistrates; and Prayers made for the Prosperity of the City, in the Chappel of Iupiter and Minerva, the Coun∣••ellors (c) 1.7.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Orat. in ••tesiphont. Ulpian. in Androtiana.
• (b) 1.2

  Xenophon de Rep. Athe••.
• (c) 1.3

  Lysiae Orat. in Evandr. Aeschines contra Timarchum.
• (d) 1.4

  Demosthen. in Theoc••.
• (a) 1.5

  Suidas, Hesychius, Aeschin. Orat. de Ement. Legat.
• (b) 1.6

  Aeschin. in Cte∣siphont.
• (c) 1.7

  Suidas, Ulpian. in Medianam, Anti••hon. Orat. de ••hore••ta.