p the four ancient tribes formed from the nobility. He
formed ten new tribes of religious and political unions, thus intending
to break down the influence of the nobility. Although the popular
assembly was composed of all citizens of the four classes, the
functions of this body in the early period were very meagre. It gave
them the privilege of voting on the principal affairs of the nation
when the council desired them to assume the responsibility. The {238}
time for holding it was in the beginning indefinite, it being only
occasionally convened, but in later times there were ten[1] assemblies
in each year, when business was regularly placed before it. Meetings
were held in the market-place at first; later a special building was
erected for this purpose. Sometimes, however, special assemblies were
held elsewhere.

The assembly was convoked by the prytanes, while the right of convoking
extraordinary assemblies fell to the lot of the strategi. There were
various means for the compulsion of the attendance of the crowd. There
was a fine for non-attendance, and police kept out people who ought not
to appear. Each assembly opened with religious service. Usually
sucking pigs were sacrificed, which were carried around to purify the
place, and their blood was sprinkled over the floor. This ceremony was
followed by the offering of incense. This having been done, the
president stated the question to be considered and summoned the people
to vote.

As the assembly developed in the advanced stage of Athenian life, every
member in good standing had a right to speak. The old men were called
upon first and then the younger men. This discussion was generally
upon open questions, and not upon resolutions prepared by the council,
though amendments to these resolutions were sometimes allowed. No
speaker could be interrupted except by the presiding officer, and no
member could speak more than once. As each speaker arose, he mounted
the rostrum and placed a wreath of myrtle upon his head, which
signified that he was performing a duty to the state. The Greeks
appear to have developed considerable parliamentary usage and to have
practised a system of voting similar to our ballot reform. Each
individual entered an enclosure and voted by means of pebbles.
Subsequently the functions of the assembly grew quite large. The
demagogues found it to their interests to extend its powers. They
tried to establish the principle in Athen