In this study we have focused on the time-honoured theory that a census classes, the zeugitai, ... more In this study we have focused on the time-honoured theory that a census classes, the zeugitai, were synonymous with the hoplites by reviewing the precedent arguments and the principal sources cited to support this theory. Our main conclusion is as follows: First, the etymological interpretation of the zeugitai as ‘soldiers in the same rank’, which has been often cited to argue that the zeugitai were a military category predating the reforms of Solon, is too dubious to make any persuasive argument. Secondly, the well-known accounts of Thucydides (6.43; 8.24.2) support neither the argument that the hoplites ek katalogou were not thetes but rather the zeugitai and the higher census classes nor that the thetes performed military service only on a voluntary basis. These accounts only attest that the Athenian epibatai in the Classical period might have normally been volunteers, but not necessarily thetes. Thirdly, the widely accepted view that the thetes were neither enrolled in the hoplite register (katalogos) nor under any obligation to serve as hoplites, unlike the higher census classes, is not based on any clear evidence and is therefore not tenable. Evidence which directly attest that the thetes did serve is scarce, but at least there are no good grounds for denying this belief. Finally, if the property qualification of the zeugitai is correct and each of them held 8.7 to 13 ha of land, they would have been too numerous to be hoplites. Even if their property averaged 4 to 5 ha, the equivalent of a so-called ‘hoplite farm’, they would have still been too numerous. It would be inevitable to suppose that the hoplites would have been a much broader group. In our view, the zeugitai and the hoplites in Archaic and Classical Athens would have never been identical. Although their population and wealth cannot be clearly determined, the zeugitai were a socio-economic entity, while the hoplites, which consisted of a broad-based population, were a branch of the Athenian army.
In this study we have focused on the time-honoured theory that a census classes, the zeugitai, ... more In this study we have focused on the time-honoured theory that a census classes, the zeugitai, were synonymous with the hoplites by reviewing the precedent arguments and the principal sources cited to support this theory. Our main conclusion is as follows: First, the etymological interpretation of the zeugitai as ‘soldiers in the same rank’, which has been often cited to argue that the zeugitai were a military category predating the reforms of Solon, is too dubious to make any persuasive argument. Secondly, the well-known accounts of Thucydides (6.43; 8.24.2) support neither the argument that the hoplites ek katalogou were not thetes but rather the zeugitai and the higher census classes nor that the thetes performed military service only on a voluntary basis. These accounts only attest that the Athenian epibatai in the Classical period might have normally been volunteers, but not necessarily thetes. Thirdly, the widely accepted view that the thetes were neither enrolled in the hoplite register (katalogos) nor under any obligation to serve as hoplites, unlike the higher census classes, is not based on any clear evidence and is therefore not tenable. Evidence which directly attest that the thetes did serve is scarce, but at least there are no good grounds for denying this belief. Finally, if the property qualification of the zeugitai is correct and each of them held 8.7 to 13 ha of land, they would have been too numerous to be hoplites. Even if their property averaged 4 to 5 ha, the equivalent of a so-called ‘hoplite farm’, they would have still been too numerous. It would be inevitable to suppose that the hoplites would have been a much broader group. In our view, the zeugitai and the hoplites in Archaic and Classical Athens would have never been identical. Although their population and wealth cannot be clearly determined, the zeugitai were a socio-economic entity, while the hoplites, which consisted of a broad-based population, were a branch of the Athenian army.
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Papers by taisuke okada
In our view, the zeugitai and the hoplites in Archaic and Classical Athens would have never been identical. Although their population and wealth cannot be clearly determined, the zeugitai were a socio-economic entity, while the hoplites, which consisted of a broad-based population, were a branch of the Athenian army.
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In our view, the zeugitai and the hoplites in Archaic and Classical Athens would have never been identical. Although their population and wealth cannot be clearly determined, the zeugitai were a socio-economic entity, while the hoplites, which consisted of a broad-based population, were a branch of the Athenian army.