| This dissertation investigates the nature and origin of citizenry divisions in Greek poleis by seeing how their functions changed from the eighth century to the fourth. The first chapter surveys the incidence and variety of citizenry divisions in Classical and Hellenistic poleis. Chapter Two, on the functions of Classical and Hellenistic citizenry divisions, in part reviews what is already common knowledge, and in part develops a new argument. As is well documented, citizenry divisions had important political and cult functions. What has not been fully appreciated is that phylai and their subdivisions were also an integral part of the military organization of poleis.; At Athens the Kleisthenic phylai were tactical units of the militia, though seldom fully mobilized after 479. It is concluded that the four pre-Kleisthenic phylai were also tactical units, each with its own military commander. Archaic phratries and gene had no apparent political duties, but the system of phylai, phratries, and gene described in the AP makes good sense as a military organization.; Until 479 the Spartan army was based on three phylai with obal subdivisions. In the late fifth and fourth century, however, phylai and obai played no role in the Spartan military organization. Rather the Spartan army in the late fifth century consisted of six major divisions, Xenophon's morai. Consequently, a reorganization must have occurred between 479 and 431, most likely immediately after the earthquake in 464.; In light of the findings on the role of phylai and phratries in military organization and recruitment, Chapters Three and Four propose a new explanation for their origins: Archaic phylai and phratries were successors to military divisions used in the Dark Age. In the warfare of the Dark Age the Dorians apparently used three divisions of infantry, a practice for which we observed parallels in Israel and Rome. With the foundation of poleis these military divisions were formally invested with political functions. Throughout the Classical period these divisions became less important for military organization, though their other public functions grew in number and significance. As the military significance of these divisions faded their origin was obscured. |
