Who were the citizens in Athens?

The term "citizen" in ancient Athens had a specific and restricted definition. Citizenship in Athens was not determined by birth or residence but by legal status and participation in the political process. Here are the key characteristics of Athenian citizenship:

1. Gender: Only adult male citizens were considered full citizens of Athens. In practice, this excluded females, even if they were freeborn and part of the citizen lineage.

2. Age: Male citizens gained full citizenship rights upon reaching the age of 18 or 20, depending on the period.

3. Ancestry: To be considered a citizen, individuals had to be born of citizen parents on both sides (father and mother). Children born from a citizen father and a non-citizen mother were not considered full citizens.

4. Social Class: Citizenship was mainly limited to the upper two classes of Athenian society: the Eupatridae (nobles) and the Geomoroi (landowning class). The lowest class, the Thetes (wage laborers), had limited or no political rights.

5. Property Ownership: In the early period of Athenian democracy, citizenship was also linked to property ownership. Individuals without sufficient property might be excluded from some aspects of political participation.

6. Enrolment in the Demos: To exercise citizenship rights, individuals had to be registered as members of a deme (one of the local districts of Attica). Each deme maintained a register of citizens and their families.

7. Military Service: Military service was an essential duty of citizenship. Only citizens were eligible to serve in the Athenian military, and this role was a source of pride and distinction.

8. Political Participation: Citizens had the right to attend and participate in the Ecclesia, the assembly where laws were made and important decisions were taken. They could vote, hold office, and serve as jurors in the courts.

Citizenship in Athens was both a privilege and a responsibility. The rights and duties of citizenship were tightly interconnected, and citizens were expected to actively engage in the political process and contribute to the well-being of the city-state.