Archons Of Athens

The Archons of Athens were the supreme council of the Athenian Republic during the Classical Age. There were nine Archons, this list details the chief archon (and hence the constitutional Head-of-State of the Republic). His duties were to act as chief executive, chief justiciar, and president of both the Boule (Council) and Ecclesia (popular assembly). As Archon Eponymous, his name was applied to the year of his office. His colleagues were: the Polemarch, who was the senior military commander and chief judicial authority in cases involving foreigners - the Basileus ("King", what remained of the monarchy after the establishment of the Republic), the chief religious officer and president of the Areopagus (Council of Nobles) - and finally six Thesmotetai, ("Determiners of Custom"), a group of general legal authorities. Over time, the power of the Archons waned - the Polemarch lost control of the army to the ten tribal Strategoi in 501 BCE, and the others suffered a similar winnowing away of real function, as the nature and circumstances of the Athenian state shifted. Nevertheless, the office endured into the Common Era, as a ceremonial figurehead if nothing else.

This system of democarcy was interesting to learn about as most people seem happy with it (well the men who are allowed to vote). Its a very different idea to many places but is a good system but doesn't give the vote to everyone :(