Background Study Of Pericles’ Citizenship Law In 451/450BC

Pericles civil rights law is the product of the democratic political development of Athens,which reflects the changes of the internal and external environment of the city.In the mid-5th century BC,Athens struggled for power with Sparta and Persia and faced rebellion from the Delian Alliance.In order to consolidate the position of Athens in the Greek world,great changes were made within Athens.The introduction of citizenship law to limit the number of citizens was a great adjustment of the internal power of the polis.Citizenship was related to the needs of the political development of the polis in the future,and was also the appeal of Athenian citizens in the social background at that time.On a deeper level it involved the reconstruction of The Athenian identity.The first chapter of this thesis analyzes the diplomatic environment Athens faced in the middle of the 5th century BC,and examines the changes of Athens’ diplomatic relations with Persia and Sparta,as well as the changes of Athens’ role in the Delian League.This period was an important stage of Athens’ transition from city-state to empire,and the change of external situation constituted the prospect of Pericles’ citizenship law.The second chapter of this thesis mainly explores the background of the enactment of the act from the development of the Democratic system in Athens.The new requirements on the granting of Athenian citizenship in the civil rights Law were closely related to a series of internal changes in the Athenian city-state society at that time,which pushed Athenians to redefine citizenship and draw a line with other groups.Under the leadership of Pericles,the democratic system of Athens was further developed,the power of the people continued to expand,and the political equality among the citizens was gradually realized.The rights and interests of the citizens were guaranteed,which changed the View of the Athenians on the citizenship.The monopolization of citizenship rights by city-state citizens was the guarantee of their identity and status as Athenians.Analyze the background of citizenship law from the inner city.The third chapter focuses on the analysis of illegitimate children and gentiles in The Athenian polis as potential winners of citizenship.In different historical periods of the city,illegitimate children and gentiles could provide different ways to obtain citizenship.In 451 BC,The Athenians expressed a strong opposition to granting citizenship to illegitimate children and gentiles,and excluded them from entering the city-state politics in the form of laws.Thus,the Athenians strengthened the mutual identity among city-state citizens by blood relationship and condensed the power within Athens.The law of citizenship emphasized the Athenian’s own identity and the construction of a new national consciousness.