Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume II.djvu/76

ATHENS Boric temple at Athens are delicate curves. The edges of the steps and the lines of the en- tablatures are convex curves, lying in vertical planes and nearly parallel, and the curves are conic sections, the middle of the stylobate ris- ing several inches above the extremities. The external lines of the columns are curved also, forming a hyperbolic entasis. The axes of the columns incline inward, so that opposite pairs, if produced sufficiently far, would meet. The spaces of the intercolumniations and the size of the capitals vary slightly, according to their position. From the usual points of view these variations and curves are not perceptible, but they produce by their combination the effect of perfect harmony and regularity ; and the ab- sence of these refinements is the cause of the universal failure of buildings constructed in modern times according to what have been supposed to be the principles of Hellenic archi- tecture. This subject is treated by Mr, Penrose in great detail, and with remarkable precis- ion; also by M. Beule, in ISAcropole cTAthenes (Paris, 1853-'5). Besides these famous build- ings, there were on the Acropolis others of less size, but great beauty. Such were the temple of Nike Apteros (the Wingless Victory), the remains of which have been discovered and restored, the temple of Rome and Augustus, and the temple of Artemis Brauronia. Among the celebrated statues and works of art on the summit of the Acropolis was the colossal statue of Athena Promachus, which represented the goddess holding a spear and in full armor. It was of such height that it could be seen at a considerable distance from the coast, above the Parthenon and the other highest buildings of the city. The population of ancient Athens has been a subject of much controversy ; but the results reached by different authorities differ by only a few thousands from the estimate of Leake, who supposes the city, including the port towns, to have contained about 192,000 inhabitants. Of these, all who corresponded to our laboring classes were slaves; a large proportion of the remainder were metmci, or residents of foreign birth ; while the actual Athenian citizens, freemen in the enjoyment of all the civic rights, formed the smallest class of all. This statement uses the word citizen in a narrow sense, applying only to those within the walls; but the political privileges of an Athenian citizen were extended to all free-born and properly qualified citizens of Attica. They were generally divided into eupatridae, or pa- tricians, geomori, or landholders, and demiurgi, or tradespeople. (See ATTICA.) The govern- ment of Athens in the time of its prosperity was in the hands of three bodies : the nine archons, elected annually ; the boule, or coun- cil of state (of 400 members under Solon's con- stitution, 500 under Clisthenes, and after the year 306 B. 0. increased to 600 members) ; and the assembly of the people (ecclesia). Among the archons were divided special departments of the executive power. (See AECHON.) The boule debated important measures previous to bringing them before the assem^iy of the peo- ple, received reports, decided to what courts certain appeals should be made, &c. Its mem- bers held office for one year, and it held daily meetings. The ecclesise were of three kinds : assemblies of the people held on fixed days, at intervals of about a month ; those called on extraordinary occasions by committees (as we should call them) of the boule ; and those which in important cases included not only the citi- zens of the city but of all Attica. These as- semblies had the ultimate power of decision in all cases without appeal, made war and con- cluded peace, passed laws and made alliances, and confirmed or censured the acts of officials. Their meetings, usually held in the Agora, on the Pnyx, or in the theatre of Dionysus, were conducted with many ceremonies. The chief court of the Athenians was that of the Areop- agus, the origin of which is lost in prehistoric legends. Men who had held the rank of archon composed it. Its jurisdiction extended over all cases of treason and special cases of murder, serious assault, and arson. (See ABEOPAGUS.) Next stood the court of the ephori, who num- bered 50, chosen from the citizens, who tried ordinary cases of murder and assault. There were several other courts of less importance. There were few taxes in ancient Athens. The state derived a great part of its income from the rent of its lands to private citizens. The taxes, including harbor dues, market taxes, taxes paid by foreign residents, the tax set upon public prostitutes (after the time of Peri- cles), and a few others, were farmed out. Upon the actual citizens there fell almost no burden of taxation. The fines imposed by the courts were also a considerable source of in- come for the state, and of course the largest sums of all were those extorted from enemies and foreign allies of the city. The ceremonies connected with religious worship at Athens were perhaps more magnificent than in any other city of the ancient world. The chief among the great solemnities were the Pana- thencea, the Dionysiac festival, and the Eleu- sinian mysteries. (See BACCHANALIA, ELErsis, and PAKATHEN^EA.) The rites and temples were under the charge of priests, whose offices were generally hereditary. Immense sums were annually expended by the state in beau- tifying the temples, sacred enclosures, and monuments of the gods, and the days dedica- ted to them were celebrated with magnificent ceremonies. The private life of the Athenians in the most ancient days of the city was sim- ple; but with the administration of Pericles, or even before it, their customs became extrav- agant and sensual. The magnificent Athenian banquets of this and subsequent periods sur- passed almost all others of the time. The guests reclined on couches about the tables, while dancers of both sexes, musicians, and the songs of hired slave girls accompanied the most extravagant feasts. These ended with sym-