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Abstract.
Thanks to the nature of our sources, the so-called reforms of the Athenian constitution by Ephialtes have prompted a great deal of discussion amongst modern scholars. By contrast, there has been much less discussion of Ephialtes himself, although his rôle involves a number of serious problems. In this study some of these problems are considered, and it is argued that the reforms should be attributed primarily not to Ephialtes but rather to Pericles.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
As is only too well known, Thucydides is notoriously silent also on the so-called reforms of the Athenian constitution by Ephialtes in 462.1 Despite this, there is virtually no modern critic who has denied that reforms took place, in one form or another.2 On the contrary, not only is it universally accepted, but it is also regarded as of great importance. In view of the silence of Thucydides, and indeed of any other contemporary source, we have to make the best of ostensibly lesser sources for this allegedly highly important event. These are Aristotle Ath. 25.1-4; 27.1; 28.2; 35.2; 41.2; Polit. 1274a 7f.; Philoch. Frg. 141b; Diod. 11.77.6; Plutarch Cimon 10.8; 15.2; Pericles 7.5f.; 9.2; Mor. 805d; 812d; hypothesis Isoc. Areopagitikos; Paus. 1.29.15.
The prevailing modern approach has been determined primarily by Aristotle-both, presumably, by reason of his stature and his date. His account in the ... reads as follows:3
The Areopagus, though in gradual decline, continued supreme for about seventeen years after the Persian War. But as the masses grew in strength Ephialtes took over leadership of the popular party and set about undermining that Council. His first step was to ruin many of its members by charging them with maladministration. Then, in the archonship of Conon he deprived the Areopagus of all its more recently acquired privileges which made it guardian of the constitution. Some of these he conferred upon the Council of Five Hundred, others upon the Assembly and the courts.4
(Ath 25.1f.)
Very close to this appear to be statements by Plutarch (these may in fact go back to Aristotle):
Ephialtes . . . tried to dethrone the Council of the Areopagus.
(Oman 10.8)
The populace . . . under the lead of Ephialtes robbed the Council of the Areopagus...