Assembly Minutes 2/15/07

Prior to the formal beginning of the Assembly, insults could be heard, including one cry of "Socratic Losers!" over the Agora.

After an opening decleration by the President and the opening prayer by the Herald (Kainien Morel), a pig was sacrificed and distributed among the assembly.

The first proposal came from the a representatives of the Oligarchs (David), who asked that he be allowed to purchase a trireme and lead a diplomatic mission to Thebes and a mutual-defense treaty.

The first question came from the nature of the treaty, which was still to be discussed.

(The Gamemaster then reminded the Assembly that Thebes is accessible from Athens by land, not only by seas.)

There was debate over how the leader of such a mission would be decided—by lot or by election?

The Oligarch repeated that he felt he was more qualified than others for this position, thanks to his family history, rather than, "a fishmonger or a pottery maker", and not to allow partisan politics to stand in the measure's way.

Suspicious, the Impoverished Farmer than questioned whether an overseer might potentially interfere with any acts of corruption he might engage in.

(The Gamemaster explained that, since the representative would have to return to Athens ultimately, he could be held accountable in court after the mission. Furthermore, Athens does not have a formal foreign service.)

A request by a Moderate Democrat to allow for a brief caucus was denied by the President, while an Oligarch accused the democrat of non-patriotic behavior.

The President attempted to raise a vote for the proposal, but was barred by the Impoverished Farmer, who questioned the wisdom of allowing him to be sent out without any sort of administration.

A democrat argued the necessity to keep relations with Thebes as they had been in the past, rather than an alliance.

Finally, the President was able to call a vote on the proposal. It passed, nine in favor, three against, and two abstaining.

The second proposal came from representative of the Socratics (Brandon), who proposed only the deserving will receive an education in ruling and a council of those who already understand the values of justice will choose those who deserve an education.

The fishmonger questioned the nature of this word 'justice', and the Socratic elaborately in great length about the nature of justice, virtue, temperance, etc.

The fishmonger did question these definitions further, and the Socratic stated that, in effect, not all men were fit to have a say in government.

The impoverished farmer than questioned why he (and others) should allow the Socratics to "enslave them", disenfranchising them, since many have never had an opportunity to meet Socrates in person or study his teachings.

The middling farmer asked that, since many have has have the opportunity to study Socratic thought, whether or not this would apply immediately or to future generations.

The Socratic replied that it would only apply to the "ruling classes".

The Impoverished farmer than demanded why there would be the formation of the "ruling classes" in Athens, accusing that the Socratic wished to turn Athens into Sparta.

The Middling Farmer asked whether or not the Socratics understood whether or not what was best for the farmers, or any other segment of the population.

The fishmonger once again questioned the validity of an idea of creating a new ruling classes to be educated.

The Impoverished Farmer questioned Socratic wisdom, whether a group of thinking individuals could really understand exactly what was necessary to these communities. Another Socratic argued

A charge came from the democrats that the Socrates were trying to overthrow the democratic tradition, and replace it rule by select few.

A loud debate followed between the oligarchs and the democrats over the validity of democracy as a government, in light of Athens' recent military defeats and of past military history.

The question was asked what would happen to students who were educated, and the Socratic replied that they were would be installed into appropriate ruling positions. The first step to reforming the government, the Socratic explained, was to create a new system of educations. Ruling was not a luxury, but another profession, one that needed the refinement and experience of a long-standing ruling class.

The Impoverished Farmer stated that since no man could be perfect, the notion was flawed.

The oligarchs responded with the classic response of, "Aren't upset that nothing at all has been accomplished (in this Assembly)?", a very common defense repeatedly used in the past by both Socratics and oligarchs. The Oligarchs also questioned how that this was different from the democratic education passed at an earlier time.

Abruptly, General Thrasyboulos (Melissa) argued that the Socratics had already demonstrated their intention to 'brainwash' the population, and that Socrates himself should be brought to trial for corrupting the Youth. The General is also an Archon.

The Charge was accepted by the Second Archon, a radical democrat, and will be presiding over the trial. This is a groundbreaking proposal!

After a brief recess, the General and leader of the Radical Democrats posted the formal charges against Socrates. The Middling Farmer stood near the podium, making strange gestures at the Oligarchs.

In a break from tradition, both Socratics took the podium, and continued speaking on the proposed amendments—one repeated that power was not a luxury, and that those selected would have to take on enormous responsibilities. The Socratics stated this was the only option in order to form a just government.

The Socratics were questioned as to whether a woman might become such a leader, causing a minor upheaval in the Assembly.

The Impoverished farmer demanded if the Socratics would take his own daughter from him if she was seen as a fit ruler, and the Socratics admitted they would in that unlikely case, much to the irritation of the farmer.

The Fishmonger demanded whether or not they would teach the children the stories of the Gods.

The Impoverished Farmer took the podium, after the Socratics. He stated that he had rowed on the trireme during the war, and that if he were robbed of his vote in the Assembly, he would not be a true Athenian, nor would anyone else. This is how his father ruled, how his grandfather ruled, and how their fathers had ruled, he declared!

The Socratic responded poignantly, speaking of the history of Athens' failures, but violated the Reconciliation Law in his dialogue!

The Second Archon has charged a Socratic with breech of law, and the charge was accepted by General Trasyboulous. The General took the seat as prosecutor, the remaining members of the assembly (except the prosecutor and the charged) as jury, and trial of the Socratic has begun!

The Prosecutor opened with a restatement of the charges.

An oligarch (David) asked if the Reconciliation Law, which he had helped spearheaded, was to be taken in this context. The Archon responded that the law applied to all cases, regardless of context. The Socratic charged verbally accepted the charge and admitted to committing the crime, but argued that he had not intended it in malice.

The General called for a vote over the guilt of the charged Socratic. The result was the Socratic was found guilty, five to three.

Running short on time, the Assembly was called to a close.