«Damocles’ sword» of power: factors of legitimacy in ancient athens

Abstract

The article is devoted to study of factors of legitimacy of power in Ancient World. Legitimacy is the of Damocles of era of antiquity; doubts of citizens about legitimacy of power is a direct way to its loss. That is why rationale for authority of power and right to power become one of central one for ancient philosophy and politics. The factors of legitimacy of power of monarchy (religion, traditional domination), aristocracy (noble origin, military victories), tyranny (charismatic legitimacy of personal power), demos (collective legitimacy, rationalism) are singled out. Ostracism as an obvious result of process of delegitimization of power is interpreted. The peculiarities of Pericles' reforms, which are based on rational organization of power, introduction of payment for work for sake of public benefit (mystophoria), democracy, are noted. In era of antiquity, firstly, in political world history need for power to be recognized, supported and legitimated was clearly articulated. Economic well-being, political stability and security of policies depended on level of legitimacy of power. In era of antiquity, Sword of Damocles of needs for recognition and support hung over power, from this time onwards – forever. However, authorities can choose what will be basis of legitimate governance, what factors will determine fate of power. The era of early Archaic in Athens was characterized by decisive influence of aristocracy, whose power was based on wealth and economic strength. In addition, an important source of legitimacy of aristocracy was religion. The citizens of Athenian Police not only realized that they were source of power, but also sought a foundation of power that would ensure its legitimacy. The abandonment of violence was main aspect in this search for legitimacy. Solon, using his own authority, received extraordinary powers, i.e., he legitimized his own power both among aristocracy and for demos. One of most important lessons of Solon's reforms for legitimacy of era of antiquity is that authority of a centrist, who, as an archon, carried out reforms, lasted only for a year. The innovations, introduced by Solon, remained valid in Athens over next dec- ades; instead, problem of legitimacy of aristocracy's power was not solved. The archaic stage was characterized by rule of kings (basileans), whose legitimacy relied on royal origin and found its basis in traditional domination, religion, military valour and victories in Panhelenic games. A very important, even decisive component of legitimacy was identity of Greeks as free citizens as opposed to Persians who worshiped king as God and their hospitality, which became foundation of cosmopolitan legitimacy. The classic stage of development of Athenian policy is domination of aristocracy, which from time to time gave power to tyrants. The governance of latter represented a reliance on charismatic type of legitimacy. They relied on their own authority, and their descendants could not сlaim to power. The tyrants, as charismatic leaders, introduced reforms, and most importantly, they actively fought against aristocracy (the descendents of which, in fact, they were), considered aristocracy as rivals in struggle for power, and thus prepared ground for strengthening power of demos. The democratic stage, which began with reforms of Kimon and reached its peak during reign of first citizen Pericles, can be called a period of domination of a rational-legal type of legitimacy. After all, Pericles himself was a great rationalist; his power was based neither on tribal relations, nor on religion and tradition. This list is not exhaustive, but it allows us to see that in era of ancient Greece, boundary principles and fundamental ideas about phenomenon of legitimacy of power were formed. Its role in political life of policy was determined. All risks, disadvantages and dangers of each type of legitimacy also appeared in policy. In end, Athenians themselves developed and implemented extreme form of delegitimization of political leader – ostracism.