Demes of Attica (2022)

Mapping the Geography of Athenian Democracy

Athenian democracy took form over the course of the 6th century BCE, but was solidified by Cleisthenes' reforms of 508/507 BCE. Cleisthenes introduced a new organization of Athens' citizenry that broke up the domination of aristocratic families and gave political power to every free Athenian citizen. The voting population was divided into ten wholly new Phylai (tribes), each of which was spread over three Trittyses (regions) and consisted of several demes that formed local political communities. These demes each sent a number of representatives to the Boule, which was a council of 500 citizens that ran daily affairs in Attica.

Diagram of Cleisthenes reforms

These maps are geographic representations of the organization of Athenian democracy and display all demes with confirmed locations. Interact with these maps to explore each deme and see how it fits in the larger political geography of Attica.

Note: All data was based on John Traill's 1975 study of the organization of Athenian democracy and was entered by students in HIST 3052 at the University of Minnesota. These maps do not claim to be authoritative and may contain errors.

The Demes

Demes of Attica for which the location is known

The Trittyes (Regions)

The demes of Attica, divided by trittys (region). The size of the dot represents the number of representatives that deme brings to the Boule (council of 500)

The Phylai (Tribes)

The demes of Attica, divided by phyle (tribe). The size of the dot represents the number of representatives that deme brings to the Boule (council of 500)

Credits

All map data was created by students in Dr. Andrew Gallia's HIST 3052 at the University of Minnesota in Spring 2022. Locations were chosen by Dr. Gallia and maps were prepared by Chris Saladin (TA).

Title Image: Attic Red-figure Athena, "Athena and Herakles Vase" (c. 500 BCE)

attributed to the Berlin Painter, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig (BS 456)

Primary Data Source: "Map 2: Attic Political Organization"

John S Traill. The Political Organization of Attica: A Study of the Demes, Trittyes, Phylai, and Their Representation in the Athenian Council. Hersperia Supplements XIV. Princeton. NJ: American School of Classical Study at Athens, 1975.