Pentacosiomedimni

In the cities of 5th Century BC Ancient Greece the Pentacosiomedimni (Πεντακοσιομέδιμνοι) were the top class of citizens set out by the Politician Solon. The Pentacosiomedimni were those whose property or estate could produce 500 bushels of wet or dry goods (or their equivalent), per year. They were eligible for all top positions of government in Athens. These were:

• 9 Archons and Treasurers
• Council of Areopagus (as ex-Archons)
• Council of 400
• Ecclesia

The Pentacosiomedimni could also serve as generals in the Athenian army.

References

• Smith, William (1889). A Smaller History of Greece: From the Earliest Times to the Roman Conquest. New York, New York: Harper Books. pp. 32. ISBN 143266588X. http://books.google.com/books?id=A1k2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=pentacosiomedimni&source=web&ots=GEWwsWhN08&sig=QUcC0O0DWUXL044kwxYSPI7iQ0o.