# Deme

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Deme
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Deme.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deme
> Source revision: 1335607423
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Administrative unit in ancient Athens

For other uses, see [Deme (disambiguation)](/source/Deme_(disambiguation)).

[Pinakia](/source/Pinakion), identification tablets (name, father's name, deme) used for tasks like [jury](/source/Jury) selection, Museum at the [Ancient Agora of Athens](/source/Ancient_Agora_of_Athens)

In [Ancient Greece](/source/Ancient_Greece), a **deme** or ***demos*** ([Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek_language): δῆμος, plural: ***demoi***, δῆμοι) was a suburb or a subdivision of [Athens](/source/Classical_Athens) and other city-states. Demes as simple subdivisions of land in the countryside existed in the 6th century BC and earlier, but did not acquire particular significance until the reforms of [Cleisthenes](/source/Cleisthenes) in 508 BC. In those reforms, enrollment in the citizen-lists of a deme became the requirement for citizenship; prior to that time, citizenship had been based on membership in a [phratry](/source/Phratry), or family group. At this same time, demes were established in the main city of Athens itself, where they had not previously existed; in all, at the end of Cleisthenes' reforms, [Athens](/source/Classical_Athens) was divided into 139 demes.[1] Three other demes were created subsequently: Berenikidai (224/223 BC), Apollonieis (201/200 BC), and Antinoeis (AD 126/127). The establishment of demes as the fundamental units of the state weakened the *[gene](/source/Genos)*, or aristocratic family groups, that had dominated the phratries.[2]

A deme functioned to some degree as a [polis](/source/Polis) in miniature, and indeed some demes, such as [Eleusis](/source/Eleusis) and [Acharnae](/source/Acharnae), were in fact significant towns. Each deme had a *[demarchos](/source/Demarchos)* who supervised its affairs; various other civil, religious, and military functionaries existed in various demes. Demes held their own religious festivals and collected and spent revenue.[3]

Demes were combined within the same area to make *[trittyes](/source/Trittys)*, larger population groups, which in turn were combined to form the ten tribes, or *[phylai](/source/Phylai),* of Athens. Each tribe contained one *trittys* from each of three regions: the city, the coast, and the inland area.

## Late Bronze Age

At Pylos, Linear B tablets refer to the *damos* as in the legal dispute of [Eritha](/source/Eritha).

## Cleisthenes' reforms and modifications

### First period: 508 – 307/306 BC

The division of the Athenian city-state (*polis*) into urban (pink), inland (green), and coastal (blue) zones by [Cleisthenes](/source/Cleisthenes)

[Cleisthenes](/source/Cleisthenes) divided the landscape in three zones—urban (*[asty](/source/Asty)*), coastal (*[paralia](/source/Paralia_(trittys))*) and inland (*[mesogeia](/source/Mesogeia)*)—and the 139 demes were organized into 30 groups called *trittyes* ("thirds"), ten for each of the zones and into ten tribes, or *[phylai](/source/Phyle)*, each composed of three *trittyes*, one from the coast, one from the city, and one from the inland area.

Cleisthenes also reorganized the [Boule](/source/Boule_(ancient_Greece)), created with 400 members under [Solon](/source/Solon), so that it had 500 members, 50 from each tribe, each deme having a fixed quota.

The ten tribes were named after legendary heroes and came to have an official order:

1. [Erechtheis](/source/Erechtheis) (Ἐρεχθηΐς) named after [Erechtheus](/source/Erechtheus)
1. [Aigeis](/source/Aigeis) (Αἰγηΐς) named after [Aegeus](/source/Aegeus)
1. [Pandionis](/source/Pandionis) (Πανδιονίς) named after [Pandion](/source/Pandion_(hero))
1. [Leontis](/source/Leontis) (Λεοντίς) named after [Leos](/source/Leos_(mythology)), son of [Orpheus](/source/Orpheus)
1. [Acamantis](/source/Acamantis) (Ἀκαμαντίς) named after [Acamas](/source/Acamas_(son_of_Theseus))
1. [Oineis](/source/Oineis) (Οἰνηΐς) named after [Oeneus](/source/Oeneus)
1. [Kekropis](/source/Kekropis) (Κεκροπίς) named after [Cécrops](/source/Cecrops_I)
1. [Hippothontis](/source/Hippothontis) (or Hippothoontis) (Ἱπποθοντίς) named after [Hippothoon](/source/Hippothoon)
1. [Aiantis](/source/Aiantis) (Αἰαντίς) named after [Ajax](/source/Ajax_the_Great)
1. [Antiochis](/source/Antiochis_(tribe)) (Ἀντιοχίς) named after Antiochus, son of [Heracles](/source/Heracles)

### Second period: 307/306 – 224/223 BC

In 307/306 – 224/223 BC the system was reorganized with the creation of two Macedonian Phylai (XI. [Antigonis](/source/Antigonis_(tribe)) and XII. [Demetrias](/source/Demetrias_(tribe))), named after [Demetrius I of Macedon](/source/Demetrius_Poliorcetes) and [Antigonus I Monophthalmus](/source/Antigonus_I_Monophthalmus), and an increase in the membership of the Boule to 600. Each of the ten tribes, except Aiantis, provided three demes (not necessarily one for trittyes); the missing contribution of Aiantis was covered by two demes of Leontis and one from Aigeis.

### Third period: 224/223 – 201/200 BC

The Egyptian Phyle XIII. [Ptolemais](/source/Ptolemais_(tribe)), named after [Ptolemy III Euergetes](/source/Ptolemy_III_Euergetes) was created in 224/223 BC and the Boule was again increased, this time to 650 members, the twelve tribes giving each a demos. A new village was created and named Berenikidai after Ptolemy's wife [Berenice II of Egypt](/source/Berenice_II_of_Egypt).

### Fourth period: 201/200 BC – 126/127 AD

In 201/200 BC the Macedonian Phylae were dissolved and the villages (except the two given to Ptolemais) went back to their original tribes. In the spring of 200 BC Tribe XIV. [Attalis](/source/Attalis), named after [Attalus I](/source/Attalus_I), was created following the same scheme used for the creation of the Egyptian Phyle: each tribe contributed a deme and a new deme, Apollonieis, was created in honour of Apollonis, wife of Attalus I of Pergamum. As a consequence there were again 12 tribes and 600 members of the Boule. From this period onward, quotas were no longer assigned to the demes for the 50 Boule members from each tribe.

### Fifth period: 126/127 – third century

The last modification was the creation in 126/127 of XV. [Hadrianis](/source/Hadrianis), named after the Emperor [Hadrian](/source/Hadrian), following the same scheme: each tribe contributed a deme and a new deme, [Antinoeis](/source/Antinoeis), was created in honour of Hadrian's favourite, [Antinous](/source/Antinous). Each tribe contributed 40 members to the Boule.

## Representation in the Boule

In the first three periods there it a more detailed system of fixed quotas which essentially remained unchanged. There is no evidence for a single general reapportionment of quotas within each of the first three periods, while there are evident small quota-variations between the first and the second periods.[4]

More precisely in:

- 307/306 BC, 24 demes increased of 1 bouleutes, 13 of 2, 5 or 3, 6 of 4 and 1 (Lower Paiania) of 11 and there is not a single example of a decreased quota.[5]

- 224/223 BC 4 demes increased of 1 bouletes

As regards the last two periods, the material illustrates the complete collapse of the quota-system from 201/200 BC.[6]

## Spurious and Late Roman demes

Some deme lists suggest extensions to the list of 139+3 Demes by adding 43 additional names, some of which have been considered by scholars as Attic demes.[7] The criticism performed by John S. Traill[8] shows that 24 are the result of error, ancient[9] or modern,[10] or of misinterpretation[11] and 19[12] are well known chiefly from inscriptions of the second and third centuries AD, i.e. in the fifth period, and thus for political purposes they were originally dependent on legitimate Cleisthenic demes.

## Homonymous and divided demes

There were[13] six pairs of homonymous demes:

- [Halai Araphenides](/source/Halai_Araphenides) (VII.Kekropis) and [Halai Aixonides](/source/Halai_Aixonides) (II.Aigeis)

- [Oion Dekeleikon](/source/Oion_Dekeleikon) (VIII.Hippothontis; later XIII.Ptolemais, XIV.Attalis) and [Oion Kerameikon](/source/Oion_Kerameikon) (IV.Leontis; affiliated with XII.Demetrias in the Macedonian period)

- [Eitea](/source/Eitea_(disambiguation)): there were two demes of that name, but no modifier is known. One is associated to V.Acamantis, later XI.Antigonis and XV.Hadrianis; the other is associated to X.Antiochis

- [Oinoe](/source/Oenoe_(Attica)) and [Oinoe](/source/Oenoe_(Marathon)): again no modifier is known; one deme was associated to VIII.Hippothontis, later XII.Demetrias and XIII.Ptolemais; the other was associated to IX.Aiantis, later XIV.Attalis and XV.Hadrianis.

- [Kolonai](/source/Colonae_(Attica)_(disambiguation)): again no modifier is known; one deme was associated to IV.Leontis; the other to X.Antiochis, later XI.Antigonis and XIII.Ptolemais.

- [Eroiadai](/source/Eroiadai_(disambiguation)): again no modifier is known for these two demes associated to VIII.Hippothontis and X.Antiochis.

There were six divided demes, one composed of three parts:

- [Agryle](/source/Agryle), [Upper Agryle](/source/Upper_Agryle) and [Lower Agryle](/source/Lower_Agryle) (I.Erechtheis); one of them, but there is no prosopographical information for identifying which, was transferred to XI.Antigonis and went back at the end of the Macedonian period; later one of them (again it is uncertain which) was transferred to XIV.Attalis.

- [Lamptrai](/source/Lamptrai), [Upper Lamptrai](/source/Upper_Lamptrai) and [Coastal/Lower Lamptrai](/source/Coastal_Lamptrai) (I.Erechtheis); Upper Lamptrai was transferred to XI.Antigonis and went back at the end of the Macedonian period.

- [Pergase](/source/Pergase), Upper and Lower (I.Erechtheis); one of them (no prosopographical information allows to decide which) was transferred to XI.Antigonis and went back at the end of the Macedonian period.

- [Ankyle](/source/Ankyle): no special designations of either section are preserved, although they are presumed to have the regular *Upper and Lower* forms. One section, perhaps Upper Ankale, was transferred to XI.Antigonis and went back at the end of the Macedonian period.

- [Paiania](/source/Paeania), [Upper Paiania](/source/Upper_Paiania) and [Lower Paiania](/source/Lower_Paiania) (III.Pandionis); Upper Paiania, was transferred to XI.Antigonis and went back at the end of the Macedonian period.

- [Potamos](/source/Potamus_(Attica)) has three sections, [Upper Potamos](/source/Upper_Potamos), [Lower Potamos](/source/Lower_Potamos) and [Potamos Deiradiotes](/source/Potamos_Deiradiotes) (IV.Leontes); during the Macedonian period, Potamos Deiradiotes belonged to XI.Antigonis and Lower Potamos to XII.Demetrias.

## List of Athenian demes according to tribes/phylai (φυλαί)

### The ten Cleisthenic tribes

I. Erechtheïs (Ἐρεχθηΐς)[14] Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes city Upper Agryle 2 3 3 One deme to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods and to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Lower Agryle 2 Euonymon 10 12 12 Themakos 1 1 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period coast Anagyrous 6 8 8 Kedoi 2 2 2 Upper Lamptrai 5 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Coastal Lamptrai 9 10 10 Pambotadai 1(0) 1 2 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Kephisia (?) inland Kephisia 6 8 8 Upper Pergase 2 3 3 One deme to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Lower Pergase 2 Phegous 1 1 1 Sybridai 0(1) 1 1 Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes

II. Aigeis (Αἰγηΐς)[18] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes city Upper Ankyle 1 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Lower Ankyle 1 1 Bate 1(2) 1 Diomeia 1 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Erikeia 1 2 Hestiaia 1 1 Kollytos 3 4 Kolonos 2 2 coast Araphen 2 2 Halai Araphenides 5 9 Otryne 1 1 Phegaia 3(4) 3(4) to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Philaidai 3 3 Epakria inland Erchia 7(6) 11 Gargettos 4 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Ikarion 5(4) to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods and to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Ionidai 2(1) 2 Kydantidai 1(2) 1(2) to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Myrrhinoutta 1 1 Plotheia 1 2 Teithras 4 4 Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

III. Pandionis (Πανδιονίς)[19] Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes Kydathenaion city Kydathenaion 12(11) to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Myrrhinous coast Angele 2(3) 4 4 Myrrhinous 6 8 8 Prasiai 3 3 3 Probalinthos 5 5 5 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Steiria 3 3 4 Paiania inland Konthyle 1 1 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Kytheros 2(1) to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Oa 4 4 4 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Upper Paiania 1 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Lower Paiania 11 22 22 Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes

IV. Leontis (Λεοντίς)[20][21] Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes Skambonidai city Halimous 3 3 3 Kettos 3 3(4) 3 Leukonoion 3 5 5 Oion Kerameikon 1 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Skambonidai 3 4 4 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Upper Potamos 2 2 2 Lower Potamos 1 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Phrearrhioi coast Deiradiotai 2 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Potamioi Deiradiotai 2 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Phrearrhioi 9 9 10 Sounion 4 6 6 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Hekale (?) inland Aithalidai 2 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Cholleidai 2 5 5 Eupyridai 2 2 2 Hekale 1 1 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Hybadai 2 2(1) 2 Kolonai 2 2 2 Kropidai 1 1 1 Paionidai 3 3 3 Pelekes 2 2 2 Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes

V. Akamantis (Ἀκαμαντίς)[22] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes Cholargos city Cholargos 4 6 Eiresidai 1 2 Hermos 2 2 Iphistiadae 1 1 Kerameis 6 6 Thorikos coast Kephale 9 12 Poros 3 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Thorikos 5(6) 6 Sphettos inland Eitea 2 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods and to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Hagnous 5 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods and to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Kikynna 2 3 Prospalta 5 5 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Sphettos 5 7 Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

VI. Oeneïs (Οἰνηΐς)[23] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes Lakiadai city Boutadai 1 1 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Epikephisia 1(2) 1 Hippotomadai 1 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Lakiadai 2 3 Lousia 1 1 Perithoidai 3 3 Ptelea 1 1 Tyrmeidai 1(0) 1 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Thria coast Kothokidai 2(1) to XII.Demetrias in the second and third period Oe 6(7) 6 Phyle 2 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third period Thria 7 8 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Pedion inland Acharnae 22 25 Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

VII. Kekropis (Κεκροπίς)[24] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes Melite (?) city Daidalidai 1 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods and to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Melite 7 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Xypete 7 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Aixone(?) coast Aixone 8 12 Halai Aixonides 6 10 inland Athmonon 6 10 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Epieikidai 1 1(0) Phlya 7 9 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Pithos 2(3) 4 Sypalettos 2 2 [25] Trinemeia 2 2 Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

VIII. Hippothontis (Ἱπποθοντίς)[22] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes Peiraieus city Hamaxanteia 2 2 Keiriadai 2 2 Koile 3 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Korydallos 1 1 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Peiraieus 9 10 Thymaitadai 2 2 Eleusis coast Acherdous 1 1 Auridai 1 to XI.Antigonis in the second and third periods Azenia 2 2 Elaious 1 1 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Eleusis 11 12 Kopros 2 2 Oinoe 2 to XII.Demetrias in the second and to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Dekeleia (?) inland Anakaia 3 3 Eroiadai 1 2 Dekeleia 4 6 Oion Dekeleikon 3 3 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period and to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

IX. Aiantis (Αἰαντίς) Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes Phaleron (?) city Phaleron 9 9 13 Thorikos coast Marathon 10 10 13 Oinoe 4 4 6 to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period and to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Rhamnous 8 8 12 Trikorynthos 3 3 6 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Aphidna (?) inland Aphidna 16 16 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period and to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Deme #[15] #[16] #[17] Notes

X. Antiochis (Ἀντιοχίς)[26] Deme #[15] #[16] Notes Alopeke city Alopeke 10 12 Anaphlistos coast Aigilia 6 7 to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Amphitrope 2 3 Anaphlystos 10 11 Atene 3 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods and to XIV.Attalis in the fourth period Besa 2 2 to XV.Hadrianis in the fifth period Thorai 4 to XII.Demetrias in the second and third periods Pallene inland Eitea 2(1) 2 Eroiadai 1 1 Kolonai 2 to XI.Antigonis in the second period and to XIII.Ptolemais in the third period Krioa 1 2 Pallene 6(7) 9 Semachidai 1 1 Deme #[15] #[16] Notes

### The Macedonian tribes

XI. Antigonis[27] Deme Former phyle Trittys #[15] #[16] Lower Agryle Erachtheis city 3 3 Upper Lamptrai Erachtheis coast 5 5 Lower Pergase Erachtheis inland 2 2 Upper Ankyle Aigeis city 1 1 Ikarion Aigeis inland 5 6 Kydathenaion Pandionis city 12 12 Kytheros Pandionis inland 2 2 Upper Paiania Pandionis inland 1 1 Aithalidai Leontis inland 2 2 Deiradiotai Leontis coast 2 2 Potamos Deiradiotes Leontis coast 2 2 Eitea Akamantis inland 2 2 Auridai Hippothontis coast 1 1 Kolonai Antiochis inland 2 2

XII. Demetrias[28] Deme Former phyle Trittys #[15] #[16] Diomeia Aigeis city 1 1 Oion Kerameikon Leontis city 1 1 Lower Potamos Leontis coast 1 2 Hagnous Akamantis inland 5 5 Poros Akamantis coast 3 3 Hippotomadai Oineis city 1 1 Kothokidai Oineis coast 2 2 Phyle Oineis coast 2 6 Daidalidai Kekropis city 1 1 Melite Kekropis city 7 7 Xypete Kekropis city 7 7 Koile Hippothontis city 3 3 Oinoe Hippothontis coast 2 2 Atene Antiochis coast 3 4 Thorai Antiochis coast 4 5

### The later tribes

XIII. Ptolemais[29] Deme Former phyle Trittys #[15] #[16] #[17] Kolonai Antigonis inland 2 2 2 Oinoe Demetrias coast 2 2 2 Themakos Erechteis city 1 1 1 Kydantidai Aigeis inland 1 (2) 1 (2) 1 Konthyle Pandionis inland 1 1 1 Hekale Leontis inland 1 1 1 Prospalta Akamantis inland 5 5 5 Boutadai Oineis city 1 1 1 Phlya Kekropis inland 6 9 9 Oion Dekeleikon Hippothontis inland 3 3 3 Aphidna Aiantis inland 16 16 16 Aigilia Antiochis coast 6 7 7 Berenikidai new 1

XIV. Attalis[30] Deme Former phyle Trittys #[15] #[16] #[17] Lower Agrile Erechteis city 3 3 3 Ikarion Aigeis inland 5 (4) 6 6 Probalinthos Pandionis coast 5 5 5 Sounion Leontis coast 4 6 6 Oion Dekailekon Ptolemais inlamd 3 3 3 Hagnous Akamantis inland 5 5 5 Tyrmeidai Oineis city 1(0) 1 1 Athmonon Kekropis inland 6 10 10 Korydallos Hippothontis city 3 3 3 Oinoe Aiantis coast 4 4 6 Atene Antiochis coast 3 4 4 Apollonieis new

XV. Hadrianis[31] Deme Former phyle Trittys #[15] #[16] #[17] Pambotadai Erechteis coast 1 (0) 1 (0) 2 Phegaia Aigeis coast 3 (4) 3 (4) 4 Oa Pandionis inland 4 4 4 Skambonidai Leontis city 3 4 4 Aphidna Ptolemais inlamd 16 16 16 Eitea Akamantis inland 2 2 2 Thria Oineis coast 7 8 8 Daidalidai Kekropis city 1 1 1 Elaious Hippothontis coast 1 1 1 Trikorynthos Aiantis coast 3 3 6 Besa Antiochis coast 2 2 2 Oinoe Attalis coast 4 4 6 Antinoeis new

## The ten tribes of [Thurii](/source/Thurii)

When the city was settled under the support of [Pericles](/source/Pericles) and the command of [Lampon](/source/Lampon) and [Xenocritus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xenocritus&action=edit&redlink=1) the population was organized in ten tribes, following the Athenian organization: there were tribes for the population of 1. [Arcadia](/source/Arcadia_(ancient_region)), 2. [Achaea](/source/Achaea), 3. [Elis](/source/Ancient_Elis), 4. [Boeotia](/source/Boeotia), 5. [Delphi](/source/Delphi), 6. [Dorians](/source/Dorians), 7. [Ionians](/source/Ionians), 8. population of [Euboea](/source/Euboea), 9. the islands and 10. Athenians.[32]

## *Demos* as personification

Stele from the agora of Athens: Athena backs up Demos as he presents a wreath to the man honored (latter 4th century BCE)

The deme as the "body politic" began to be personified, typically as a bearded older man, in Greek art and literature of the early to mid-4th century BCE. Demos wears the *[himation](/source/Himation)* garment and often holds a staff. He is usually standing; when seated, the figure can be ambiguous as to whether it represents [Zeus](/source/Zeus). In Athens, thirty-two depictions of Demos, some arguable, occur within [reliefs](/source/Relief) on honorary [steles](/source/Stele) set up by the *[ekklesia](/source/Ecclesia_(ancient_Greece))*, the democratic assembly of citizens. As a quasi-deity, Demos is neither the polis itself, which tended to be a female personification, nor its [tutelary deity](/source/Tutelary_deity), but seems rather to have represented the political process as such. At times he is depicted with Boule, the personification of the citizens' administrative council of a city (*[boule](/source/Boule_(ancient_Greece))*), who is not known to have been depicted other than in the company of Demos. In the [Hellenistic period](/source/Hellenistic_period), depictions of Demoi become more youthful, tending toward a similarity to the [Genius of the Roman People](/source/Genius_(mythology)#Imperial_genii).[33]

In the play known in English as *[The Knights](/source/The_Knights)*, [Aristophanes](/source/Aristophanes) satirizes the Demos of Athens as the master to whom politicians are enslaved. The play is set in the house of Demos.[34][35] The "love of country" extolled by politicians was mocked by Aristophanes as a literal sexual relationship, with [Cleon](/source/Cleon) as *[erastes](/source/Erastes_(Ancient_Greece))* of Demos, who is susceptible to flattery and seduction.[36]

The personification of the *demos* thus visualized the power of the people as consolidated in an individual — an image that could be manipulated by demagogues.[37] In the Roman era, the *demos* of a particular place embodied could be integrated into [imperial cult](/source/Roman_imperial_cult), as with the Demos of Ephesos represented at the [Temple of Hadrian](/source/Ephesus#Classical_Roman_period_(129_BC–395_AD)).[38]

Bronze coin of the Volcae Arecomici of Gaul, interpreted as representing the *Demos* of Nemausus (Nîmes)

A bronze coin minted at [Nîmes](/source/N%C3%AEmes), France, has been interpreted traditionally as representing the "Demos" of Nemausus, the city's Latin name. On the [reverse](/source/Reverse_(coin)), a togate figure stands before a [palm](/source/Palm_branch) or evergreen branch, with an inscription AREC taken as an abbreviation for *Arecomici*. The head is not covered as would be expected for the depiction of [libation](/source/Libation#Ancient_Rome) or religious gesture, and no comparable coin is known.[39] A head of the [Diana](/source/Diana_(goddess)) type appears on the [obverse](/source/Obverse) with the inscription VOLCAE.[40] The [Volcae Arecomici](/source/Volcae_Arecomici) were a Gallic people whose *metropolis*, in [Strabo](/source/Strabo)'s terminology, was Nemausus. Although Nîmes had been integrated into the [Roman province](/source/Roman_province) of [Transalpine Gaul](/source/Transalpine_Gaul) in the late 2nd century BC, during the time of [Strabo](/source/Strabo) (64/63 BC to AD 24) the Arecomici exercised authority over their twenty-four ethnically cohesive communities independent of direct Roman oversight.[41] The "Demos" bronze unit is dated to 50–25 BC,[42] just after the [Gallic Wars](/source/Gallic_Wars), during which the Transalpine Gauls had maintained their Roman fealty despite provocations from the central Gauls. The coin may have been issued in 49 BC to mark [Caesar](/source/Julius_Caesar)'s extension of [Latin rights](/source/Latin_rights) to the citizens of Nemausus, well before the town's formal refounding as a Roman *[colonia](/source/Roman_colony)*. The inscription asserts their localized identity, while the wearing of the toga represents their standing as a citizen body to participate in politics.[43][44]

## Later usage

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (March 2019)

The term "deme" (*dēmos*) survived into the Hellenistic and Roman eras. By the time of the [Byzantine Empire](/source/Byzantine_Empire), the term was used to refer to one of the four [chariot racing factions](/source/Blues_and_Greens_in_the_Byzantine_Empire): the Reds, the Blues, the Greens and the Whites.

In modern Greece, the term *dēmos* is used to denote one of the [municipalities](/source/Municipalities_of_Greece).

## Footnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T76_1-0)** , [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), p. 76

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** J.V. Fine, *The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** David Whitehead, "Deme" from the *[Oxford Classical Dictionary](/source/Oxford_Classical_Dictionary)*, Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth, ed.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T56_4-0)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), p. 56

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T59_5-0)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), p. 59

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T61_6-0)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), p. 61

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Graes, Phegaia, Kaletea (III); Rhakidai, Kyrteidai (V); Phyle B, Perrihidai (VI); Kikynna B, Trinemeia B, Sypalettos B (VII); Agriadai, Pol(--), Anakaia B, Amymone, Sphendale (VIII); Kykala, Perrhidai, Thyrgonidai, Titakidai, Petalidai, Psaphis (IX); Atene B, De(--), Lekkon, Leukopyra, Ergadeis, Phyrrhinesioi, Malainai, Pentele (X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T8196_8-0)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), pp. 81–96

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Anakaia B, Phegaieis B, Graes, Pol(--)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Agriadai

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** De(--), Salamis, Kaletea, Kikynna B, Atene B, Ikaroin, Amphitrope B, Phyle B, Sypalettos B, Trinemeia B, Coastal Lamptrai, Chastieis, Chelidonia, Echelidai, Gephyreis, Lekkon, Oisia, Rhakidai, Sporgilos.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Hyporeia, Thirgonidai, Titakidai, Perrhidai, Petalidai, Eunostidai, Klopidai, Melainai, Sphendale, Pentale, Psaphis, Akyaia, Amymone, Ergadeis, Kykala, Kyrteidai, Leukopyra, Phy(r)rhinesioi, Semachidai B,

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), pp. 123–8

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table I

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-18) [***t***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-19) [***u***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-20) [***v***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-21) [***w***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-22) [***x***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-23) [***y***](#cite_ref-Q1_15-24) Quota in the first period

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-18) [***t***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-19) [***u***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-20) [***v***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-21) [***w***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-22) [***x***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-23) [***y***](#cite_ref-Q2_16-24) Quota in the second period

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Q3_17-10) Quota in the third period

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table II

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table III

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table IV

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), p. 133

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Traill1975V_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Traill1975V_22-1) [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table V

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table VI

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table VII

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Meritt, 1961, pp.227-230 suggests that Sypalettos could be temporarily belonged to XIV.Attalis in 145; the argument would justify the conflicting facts that the current archon, Epikrates, was from Sypalettos and that archonship, in the secretary-cycle, should be assigned to Attalis; in connection he pointed that the son of the eponym, Attalos II, was of the deme Sypalettos and that a similar reletionship between phylai and members of the family of the eponym is proved by [Ptolemy V Epiphanes](/source/Ptolemy_V_Epiphanes), grandson of Ptolemy III and member of XIII.Ptolemais and by Hadrian which was accepted into the deme of Besa.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table X

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table XI

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table XII

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table XIII. Ptolemais was fifth in the tribal order during the periods it existed; the tribes from Acamantis to Antiochis were all moved back in the tribal order by one place.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table XIV; Attalis was twelfth in the tribal order during the period it existed.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** [Traill 1975](#CITEREFTraill1975), Table XV; Hadrianis was thirteenth in the tribal order during the period it existed.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [Fritz Schachermeyr](/source/Fritz_Schachermeyr), Perikles, Kohlhammer, Stuttgart–Berlin–Köln–Mainz 1969

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Amy C. Smith, *Polis and Personification in Classical Athenian Art* (Brill, 2011), pp. 92, 99–101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Roger Brock, *Greek Political Imagery from Homer to Aristotle* (Bloomsbury, 2013), [n.p.](https://www.google.com/books/edition/Greek_Political_Imagery_from_Homer_to_Ar/Be8VBnWyHyYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22the%20most%20conspicuous%20example%20is%20Aristophanes'%20Knights%22&pg=PT33&printsec=frontcover)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Christopher Carey, *Democracy in Classical Athens* (Bloomsbury, 2017, 2nd ed.), p. 92.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Andrea Wilson Nightingale, *Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy* (Cambridge University Press, 1995), pp. 188–189.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** Matthew Landauer, *Dangerous Counsel: Accountability and Advice in Ancient Greece* (University of Chicago Press, 2019), p. 12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Kitty Iannantuono, “Artemis, Trajan and the Demos in Parade: A Reinterpretation of the Reliefs at the So-Called Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus,” *Jahreshefte Des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes in Wien* (ÖJh) 90 (2021) 245–272.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Michel Christol and Christian Goudineau, "Nîmes et les Volques Arècomiques au Ier siècle avant J.-C.", *Gallia* 45 (1987), p. 88, especially n. 3 citing J.-B. Giard, "Le monnayage antique de Nîmes, *Bulletin de l'École Antique de Nîmes* 6/7 (1971–72), pp. 47–60.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** Brigitte Fischer, "Bulletin de numismatique celtique (1980-1985)", *Études celtiques* 23 (1986), p. 284.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** Andrew C. Johnston, *The Sons of Remus: Identity in Roman Gaul and Spain* (Harvard University Press, 2017), pp. 43–44.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** Fischer, "Bulletin", p. 284.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** Johnston, *The Sons of Remus*, pp 43–44 *et passim*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Clare Rowan, "Ambiguity, Iconology and Entangled Objects on Coinage of the Republican World", *Journal of Roman Studies* 106 (2016), p. 24, in particular n. 17, generally rejecting a neat division into "'Roman' and 'provincial'".

## References

- Traill, John S. (1975). [*The Political Organization of Attica*](https://archive.org/details/politicalorganiz0000trai). Vol. 14. Amsterdam: [American School of Classical Studies at Athens](/source/American_School_of_Classical_Studies_at_Athens) (ASCSA). pp. i–169. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/1353928](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F1353928). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87661-514-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87661-514-0). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [1353928](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1353928).

- Fine, John V. A. *The Ancient Greeks: A critical history* ([Harvard University Press](/source/Harvard_University_Press), 1983). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-674-03314-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-674-03314-0).

- Hornblower, Simon, and Anthony Spawforth, ed., *The Oxford Classical Dictionary* (Oxford University Press, 2003). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-866172-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-866172-X).

- Meritt, B. D. *The Athenian Year*. Berkeley, 1961.

- Suzanne, Bernard (1998). *plato-dialogues.org*, ["Attic Tribes and Demes"](http://plato-dialogues.org/tools/attica.htm#demoi). Retrieved August 1, 2006.

- Whitehead, David. *The Demes of Attica 508/7–ca. 250 BC: A Political and Social Study* (Princeton University Press, 1986).

v t e Greek terms for administrative divisions Modern Decentralised Administrations Region Regional Unit Municipality Municipal Unit Community Defunct General Administrations Prefecture (Super-Prefecture, Prefectural Department) Province Municipal Department Communal Department Municipal Community Local Community Historical archontia/archontaton bandon demos despotaton dioikesis doukaton droungos eparchia exarchaton katepanikion kephalatikion kleisoura meris naukrareia satrapeia strategis thema toparchia tourma

v t e Designations for types of administrative division English terms Common English terms Area Insular area Local government area Special area Unincorporated area Unorganized area Borough County borough Metropolitan borough Canton Half-canton Capital Federal capital Imperial capital City Autonomous city Charter city Independent city Incorporated city Imperial city Free imperial city Royal free city Community Autonomous community Residential community County Administrative county Autonomous county Consolidated city-county County seat County town Metropolitan county Non-metropolitan county Regional county municipality Viscounty Country Overseas country Department Overseas department District Capital district City district Congressional district Electoral district Federal district Indian government district Land district Local government district Metropolitan district Non-metropolitan district Military district Municipal district Police district Regional district Rural district Sanitary district Service district Educational service district Local service district School district Intermediate school district Special district in the US Urban district Division Census division Police division Subdivision of India Indian reserve/reservation Indian reservation (United States) Indian reserve (Canada) Municipality City municipality County municipality Direct-controlled municipality District municipality Neutral municipality Regional municipality Resort municipality Mountain resort municipality Rural municipality Specialized municipality Prefecture Autonomous prefecture Subprefecture Super-prefecture Praetorian prefecture Province Autonomous province Overseas province Roman province Region Administrative region Special administrative region Autonomous region Capital region National capital region Development region Mesoregion Microregion Overseas region Subregion State Quasi-state City-state Federal state Free state Sovereign state Territory Capital territory Federal capital territory National capital territory Dependent territory Federal territory Incorporated territory Organized incorporated territory Overseas territory Union territory Town Census town Market town Township Charter township Civil township Paper township Survey township Urban township Unit Regional unit Zone Economic zone Exclusive economic zone Free economic zone Special economic zone Exclusion zone Military exclusion zone Free speech zone Neutral zone Self-administered zone Trade zone Free-trade zone Other English terms Current Alpine resort Bailiwick Banner Autonomous Block Cadastre Circle Circuit Colony Commune Condominium Constituency Duchy District Eldership Emirate Enclave and exclave Federal dependency Governorate Hamlet Manor Royal Muftiate Neighbourhood Parish Precinct Principality Protectorate Quarter Regency Autonomous republic Riding Sector Autonomous Shire Sultanate Suzerainty Townland Village Summer Ward Historical Agency Barony Burgh Exarchate Hide Hundred Imperial Circle March Monthon Presidency Residency Roman diocese Seat Tenth Tithing Viceroyalty Non-English terms or loanwords Current Amt Apskritis Bakhsh Barangay Bashki Bezirk Regierungsbezirk Comarca Comune Frazione Freguesia Fu Gemeinde Austria Germany South Tyrol Switzerland Gemeente Gmina Hromada Județ Kampong Kommun/Kunta Finland Sweden Län (Sweden) Landskap Finland Località Maakunta Megye Muban Mukim Njësi administrative Obec Oblast Autonomous Okrug Ostān Poblacion Purok Qark Raion Savivaldybė Selsoviet Sitio Seniūnija Shahrestān Sum China Sýsla Tehsil Townlet Vingtaine Historical Commote Gau Heerlijkheid Komunë Dominion Köping Korale Län/Lääni Landskap Sweden Landskommun Maalaiskunta Nome Egypt Greece Pagus Pargana Plasă Rreth Satrapy Socken Subah Syssel Zhou Used by ten or more countries or having derived terms. Historical derivations in italics. See also Autonomous administration Census division Electoral district List of administrative divisions by country Greek administrative divisions Slavic administrative divisions

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Deme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deme) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deme?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.