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This line might be the text for the panegyric on democracy in the Funeral Speech (Thuc. ii. 37); ‘equality of opportunity’ is the boast of Pericles. For H.'s own praise of ἰσηγορίη cf. v. 78.

The three marks of democracy are (1) election by lot (cf. Arist. Pol. 1294 b 7 and Headlam, ‘Lot at Athens,’ p. 11 seq., which discusses admirably the purpose of the lot); (2) responsibility of officers (Pol. ii. 12.4; 1274 a: Solon gave the Athenians ἀναγκαιοτάτη δύναμις, i. e. to elect their officers and to call them to account); (3) popular control of all measures.

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