Neighbourhood and Local Communities

Chapter 19 examines life in a rural community and neighbourhood in classical Athens. In 366 Demosthenes was entered by the persons acting as his guardians on the register of citizens of the deme of Paeania. The communities conducted their affairs independently and had their own administration. They were headed by a demarch who was initially elected for a year but later (in Demosthenes’ lifetime) was chosen by drawing lots. The rural communities were closely linked through parentage, neighbourhoods, cultic associations, and friendships formed in childhood. The article first provides a background on Demosthenes as a citizen of Paeania before discussing two of his legal speeches that illustrate the solidarity but also the litigious nature of life in a rural community, namely Against Callicles and Against Eubulides. It also considers how the rules and laws of Athenian democracy were applied to deal with intrigues and hostilities occurring in villages.