Jeffrey Frieden

Dr. Lammer-Heindel

Democracy and Global Diversity

21 September 2016

On Meritorious Citizenship for Veterans and those with only one Athenian Parent

I fear many people misunderstand the Socratics, that they believe we

oppose Athens. This is not the case. The Socratic vision has always been that

Athens be ruled by the best Athenians for all Athenians. We believe in a

stronger, better Athens, and we no longer believe this system of demagogues

and their followers is the best way to go about this. In order to allow the best

Athenians to rule on the behalf of all Athenians, however, we must expand

meritorious citizenship to the best residents of our great city, instead of just to

those who were born to the right people. After all, an Athenian by blood shed is

better than an Athenian by blood bred. Those who have fought and suffered

alongside us in our time of Athens’s need should be welcome in our assembly,

and those who have proven themselves to be capable, thoughtful leaders

should be not only allowed but encouraged to lead. And I know that some of

you may accuse me hypocrisy, of abandoning Athens in her darkest hour, but I

can tell you I pined for Athens in my exile, even as she was suffering, besieged,

and starving. I was robbed of the opportunity to aid her by a few instigators

who took advantage of good, fearful men. Good men, but fearful. It’s not the

first time a good man has been prevented from helping Athens, either. Even

Pericles was challenged by these instigators and had to fight for his own
political survival as he fought for Athens1. Thucydides, you also know this

struggle. A general hastily exiled in our polis’s time of need. But I digress.

Many metics and those born to one Athenian parent are Athenians by

the blood they have shed. Can someone pay the price for a pot or a piece of

land and not receive it? Can they be prevented from taking what is rightfully

theirs? And of those born to only one Athenian parent, are they no less a child

of Athens because one of their parents was less than free? No! It was not the

case before Pericles, and it should not be the case now. These people ought to

be citizens.

Furthermore, many of the people whom I have mentioned are capable

rulers. They have proven their worth in our triremes, our workshops and fields,

and our discussions in the marketplace. But these people who are fit to rule

are not citizens and therefore cannot rule. Nay, they cannot even participate in

our assembly or our courts. Those who possess the philosophical aptitude, the

intelligence, to rule should rule. And those who ought to rule ought to be

citizens. Therefore, these metics and children of one Athenian parent ought to

be citizens.

Now some may argue that if we open citizenship to everyone, then

everyone will come to Athens. They claim that all manners of criminals, rapists,

and drunkards will overrun Athens demanding citizenship. This is false. If we

open up citizenship to the best, then the best will come. Philosophers, artists,

1 Most notably that he had to defend his friend Phidias from fraud charges and Aspasia from
charges of bringing free women into his home for him, as well as charges of fraud and
embezzling against him directly. In response to those charges, he waged a war to relieve
political pressure at home. [ CITATION PluCE \l 1033 ].
merchants, and generals. And isn’t that something we want? To make Athens

once again the intellectual and cultural center of not only Greece, but of the

world? If you all will allow, I would like to apply what I have learned in my

medical practice to our situation. As a physician, I must encourage what is

good and discourage what is bad within the body, bringing about order to the

whole. I am merely proposing that we encourage what is good by allowing the

rights of citizenship to those who are good2. By doing this, we will bring greater

order to the whole of Athens.

If the worthy assembly is not already tired of my speaking, I shall

summarize and quickly return to my place. I propose that the laws of Athens

shall be amended so that all who meet the following criteria shall be granted

citizenship:

A) Those born to an Athenian citizen and a non-citizen

B) Those who have served honorably (but not necessarily with

distinction) in the Athenian navy or army, to include all veterans of

future wars (Those who serve in future wars will be granted

citizenship after they have completed their service.)

C) Those with special talents useful to Athens, to be determined on a

case-by-case basis by the courts. Said person shall sue the state for

citizenship in a low trial with 201 jurors, who shall hear first the case

2 This is somewhat loosely based on principles put forth by Eryximachus in Plato’s Symposium,
as well as what I could find in my background research on ancient Greek medicine. I also
found that my character cannot hold down much alcohol [ CITATION PlaCE \l 1033 ].
 of he who desires citizenship and then of those with reasonable

objections.

We ought to at the very least return the definition to what it was before

Pericles changed it. Then we must also use citizenship to entice the best to

Athens. And, finally, to reward those who have served our great polis. Better an

Athenian by blood shed then by blood bred!