Did Kleon deserve his reputation as an uncultured and power-hungry demagogue?
“Did Kleon deserve his reputation as an uncultured and power-hungry demagogue?”
Kleon was an Athenian politician during the Peloponnesian War, who was known to be the first representative of the “Commercial class” (or working class) in Athens. He was not born from a wealthy father like other politicians before him, such as Solon and Peisistratus, but instead was the son of Cleaenetus, from whom he inherited a lucrative tannery business. Since he was not of a wealthy class it was almost the markings of a change in the way politics and the state was lead, opening up a way for the working class to have more power, in what can be argued as an increasingly democratic state. As well as this his ideas and actions began to pronounce an end of the reforms Solon had put forward in 595, which were considered by all politicians and leader after this, with further scrutiny and adjustment. Due to his family status and the way he chose to run the state, information gathered from both the rough time of his reign to modern writers interpretations, praise and criticize can be seen for his techniques and characteristics, establishing as to whether Keon deserved a reputation as an uncultured and power-hungry demagogue, which during his life, he was known to be.
The constitution of the Athenians by pseudo-Aristotle is a key source for looking at Athenian politics. Within this source, Kleon is mentioned to have “led the people”, whilst Nicias led the upper classes. He is described within this passage to have “corrupted the people more than anyone else by his violence” by shouting abusive language, and acted with ill taste, addressing the Ekklesia in a scruffy, untraditional manner, with his “garments tucked up”. Being described as a Democrat, he highly contrasts with Nicias the other leader at the time, which was more of an “oligarchic” leader. The constitution of the Athenians seems to use this technique a lot, in order to add emphasis and contrast between the leaders, yet it may not be entirely accurate to say both leaders views were as contrasting as it appears. However, it is the case to say that his violence made Kleon a terrible influence on the Demos, who were easily swayed by his boisterous and violent actions, making them power hungry and warmongers as he himself can be viewed. He was known for being the “first to shout when addressing people” showing a huge difference between how previous politicians behaved and how this new kind of politician acted out in front of an assembly. However, it is known that the writer favourite the oligarchic views and also makes attacks on Kleophon and Kallikrates, echoing “the standard aristocrat prejudices against the demagogues”, as mentioned in the Commentary of the Ath Pol. It is also suggested that the Aristocratic opinion was that they were not gentlemen, possibly, in the case of Kleon, because he wore his gaments in such a way. This, though, can be viewed in a very different light, suggesting that he did so to appeal to the people, dressing as a labourer at work to gain their confidence and trust. As a leader from quite a higher-class background this reassured the people that he was on their side and was like them, not after and oligarchy. It is also true that the aristocratic prejudice on these “new-style leaders” cannot dismiss the facts that they helped Athens especially in the field of finance.
A source by Jona Lendering gives a more modern view on Kleon and also looks at the idea of Kleon being one of the “new politicians” without noble ancestors, with their wealth not based on land, but on trade or crafts. Since Kleon had inherited money from his father, it was this that helped him start a remarkable political career. This in its self makes him seem as cultured as one should be when representing the Democracy. They do not need someone who has a vast amount of land and riches, but instead someone who has come from as humble a background as they have, and therefore understand all the concepts and parts of their lives. With this better understanding, Kleon would make a better leader than someone with an oligarchic background, such as the Alkmoeonidae. Within this source, cross references are made to other sources by Aristophanes, in which he says “the new politician is only presented in a state of anger, and when he speaks, his voice sounds like a scalded pig”, and tries to show a difference, as in the constitution of the Athenians, between the New politician who was Kleon, and the old, Nicias, who was believed to be “Pious and moderate”.
