Latest / Ancient Greece: Philosophy, Democracy, and Endless War — Fexingo History
The Athenian Jury Lottery: How Democracy Worked
We often think of ancient democracy as a system of elections, but in fifth-century BCE Athens, most public offices were filled by sortition—a random lottery. This episode explores the mechanics and philosophy behind this radical egalitarianism. Lucas and Luna examine how thousands of citizens served on massive juries, specifically the Heliaia, which could comprise up to six thousand jurors for high-stakes trials like that of Socrates. We look at thekleroterion, the stone machine used to assign jurors to courts, and the daily logistics of feeding and paying these citizens. The conversation…
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