All the magistrates that are concerned with the ordinary routine of
administration are elected by lot, except the Military Treasurer, the
Commissioners of the Theoric fund, and the Superintendent of Springs.
These are elected by vote, and hold office from one Panathenaic
festival to the next. All military officers are also elected by vote.
The Council of Five Hundred is elected by lot, fifty from each
tribe. Each tribe holds the office of Prytanes in turn, the order being
determined by lot; the first four serve for thirty-six days each, the
last six for thirty-five, since the reckoning is by lunar years. The
Prytanes for the time being, in the first place, mess together in the
Tholus, and receive a sum of money from the state for their
maintenance; and, secondly, they convene the meetings of the Council
and the Assembly. The Council they convene every day, unless it is a
holiday, the Assembly four times in each prytany. It is also their duty
to draw up the programme of the business of the Council and to decide
what subjects are to be dealt with on each particular day, and where the
sitting is to be held. They also draw up the programme for the meetings
of the Assembly. One of these in each prytany is called the 'sovereign'
Assembly; in this the people have to ratify the continuance of the
magistrates in office, if they are performing their duties properly,
and to consider the supply of corn and the defence of the country. On
this day, too, impeachments are introduced by those who wish to do so,
the lists of property confiscated by the state are read, and also
applications for inheritances and wards of state, so that nothing may
pass unclaimed without the cognizance of any person concerned. In the
sixth prytany, in addition to the business already stated, the question
is put to the vote whether it is desirable to hold a vote of ostracism
or not; and complaints against professional accusers, whether Athenian
or aliens domiciled in Athens, are received, to the number of not more
than three of either class, together with cases in which an individual
has made some promise to the people and has not performed it. Another
Assembly in each prytany is assigned to the hearing of petitions, and
at this meeting any one is free, on depositing the petitioner's
olive-branch, to speak to the people concerning any matter, public or
private. The two remaining meetings are devoted to all other subjects,
and the laws require them to deal with three questions connected with
religion, three connected with heralds and embassies, and three on
secular subjects. Sometimes questions are brought forward without a
preliminary vote of the Assembly to take them into consideration.
Heralds and envoys appear first before the Prytanes, and the bearers of
dispatches also deliver them to the same officials.