alternatehistory.com

The Athenians, like most Greeks, had a primordial view of citizenship, basing it on ancestry. Few people in Athen's history were granted it, such as Pasion and Pericles the Younger. This was granted occasionally by the state to individuals for services rendered, or through patronage. However, Athens had a very large population of Metics, the actual Polistai or citizen body composing 20% of Athens' population at the height of its power.

Metics could enlist for military service, but they could not vote, own landed property, or serve as jurors. Metics were either freed slaves, voluntary immigrants, or the descendents of either. A Metic family could reside in the city for several generations, consider it their home, and were still not considered citizens.

So, I'm wondering which of the influential politicians of Athens would have wanted to add to the number of citizen-rolls. Or alternately, if a situation similar to the Roman Conflict of the Orders were to happen, resulting in the Atheinan Metics forming their own assembly.
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