Answer to Question #159850 in History for Demetrius

Question

During the age of pericles how were elections held in athens

Answer 1

During the age of Pericles, any adult male citizen could participate in the assembly, Athens' main democratic body. Officeholders were voted in via lot and could not hold the same office more than once. Allotment of an individual relied mostly on citizenship rather than popularity or merit, with the aim of granting political equality and preventing the corrupt buying of votes. Male citizens could freely speak to the assembly and could vote on decisions by holding up their hands. The final decision was the majority win. There were nine presidents to assess the voting; they were also elected by means of lot and could hold the office only once. The assembly decided on important issues such as military and financial matters, political trials, initiating legislation and voting to raise or use funds. The assembly also had the power to shun out any Athenian citizen who was considered too powerful. The ostracizing took place by voting through means of secret ballot i.e. voters wrote their choice on a piece of broken pottery.