ΜΙΣΘΟΣ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣ

Definition

The "misthos demosieus" is a compound term referring to the payment rendered to citizens of ancient Athens for performing public duties. The word consists of "misthos" (wage, payment) and "demosieus" (one who serves the demos, a public official). The institutionalization of payment for jurors, councillors, and assembly members was a pivotal reform, primarily attributed to Pericles in the 5th century BCE, aimed at strengthening democracy.

Prior to this innovation, participation in public affairs was often limited to wealthy citizens, who could afford the loss of income from their work. The misthos demosieus ensured that even poorer citizens could dedicate their time to political life, thereby making democracy more representative and functional. This payment was not high, but sufficient to cover basic needs and enable active participation.

The significance of the term is not limited to its economic aspect but extends to the social and political philosophy of the era. It reflects the belief that political participation is a right and duty of all citizens, and that the state ought to facilitate this participation. The misthos demosieus contributed to the flourishing of Athenian democracy and was a subject of discussion and criticism by ancient authors, such as Aristotle, who analyzed it in his "Politics."

Main Meanings

1. Payment for Public Service — The remuneration received by Athenian citizens for performing duties in the courts, the Boule, or the Ecclesia of the Demos.
2. Democratic Empowerment — A means to ensure broader citizen participation, especially of the poorer classes, in the political life of Athens.
3. Disregard for Labor — A critical view held by some ancient authors, who saw the payment as a devaluation of the voluntary contribution's worth.
4. Economic Support — Provision of basic income that allowed citizens to leave their work to engage in public affairs.
5. Political Equality — An expression of the principle that all citizens have an equal right and ability to participate in governance.
6. Instrument of Control — The payment could be used as a tool to attract or deter participation in specific bodies.
7. Symbol of Athenian Democracy — One of the defining characteristics of the Athenian constitution during the Classical period.

Word Family

misth- (root of the noun misthos)

The root misth- forms the core of a word family revolving around the concept of remuneration, payment, and hiring. Originating from an Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, misth- expresses the idea of reward for labor or service, whether it be a wage, rent, or the act of hiring. Its meaning extends from simple economic transaction to social and political dimensions, as seen in "misthos demosieus," where payment becomes a means of political participation.

In Ancient Texts

The misthos demosieus, as a central institution of Athenian democracy, is mentioned and commented upon by significant ancient authors:

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΙΣΘΟΣ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣ:

Sources & Bibliography

• Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
• Aristotle — Constitution of the Athenians. Edited by H. Rackham. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1935.
• Aristotle — Politics. Edited by H. Rackham. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1932.
• Plutarch — Parallel Lives, Pericles. Edited by B. Perrin. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1916.
• Xenophon — Memorabilia. Edited by E. C. Marchant. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1923.
• Hansen, M. H. — The Athenian Democracy in the Age of Demosthenes. Blackwell Publishing, 1999.
• Ober, J. — Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens: Rhetoric, Ideology, and the Power of the People. Princeton University Press, 1989.