First Use of Ostracism in Athens: What Happened
In 487 BC, the Athenians used ostracism for the first time, voting to exile Hipparchus, a relative of the former tyrant Hippias. Ostracism is usually credited to the reforms of Cleisthenes, who created it as a safeguard for the new democracy against anyone becoming too powerful. Once a year, the assembly voted on whether to hold an ostracism. If it did, citizens gathered in the agora and scratched the name of the man they wanted removed on a broken piece of pottery called an ostrakon, which gave the practice its name. If at least 6,000 votes were cast, the man with the most votes had to leave Athens for ten years. He did not lose his property or citizenship and could return afterward. Over the next decades, famous politicians including Aristides, Themistocles and Cimon were ostracized. Archaeologists have found thousands of ostraka in Athens, some with names prepared in the same handwriting, suggesting organized campaigns. The last known ostracism took place around 416 BC. The English word ostracize comes from this practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was ostracism in ancient Athens?
Ostracism was a procedure allowing Athenian citizens to vote to exile a politician for ten years. It was meant to protect democracy from anyone becoming too powerful.
When was ostracism first used?
Ostracism was first used in 487 BC, when the Athenians exiled Hipparchus, a relative of the former tyrant Hippias. It was probably introduced earlier by Cleisthenes.
How did ostracism work?
Citizens scratched a name on a broken piece of pottery called an ostrakon. If at least 6,000 votes were cast, the man with the most votes had to leave Athens for ten years.
Who was ostracized in Athens?
Famous politicians who were ostracized included Aristides, Themistocles and Cimon, all leading figures of their time. The last known ostracism took place around 416 BC.
Where does the word ostracize come from?
The English word ostracize comes from ostrakon, the pottery shard used in voting. Thousands of ostraka have been found in Athens and can be seen in the Ancient Agora Museum.
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