CLĒRŪCHI

( κληροῦχοι ), the name of A then i an citizens who occupied conquered lands; their po e ion was called cleruchia ( κληρουχία ). The A then i an Cleruch i differed from the ἄποικοι or ordinary colonists. The only object of the earlier colonies was to relieve surplus population, or to provide a home for those whom internal quarrels had exiled from their country. Most usually they originated in private enterprise, and became independent of, and lost their interest in, the parent state. On the other hand, it was e ential to the very notion of a cleruchia that it should be a public enterprise, and should always retain a connection more or le intimate with Athens herself. The connection with the parent state subsisted in all degrees. Sometimes, as in the case of Lesbos, the holders of land did not reside upon their estates, but let them to the original inhabitants, while themselves remained at Athens. The condition of these cleruch i did not differ from that of A then i an citizens who had estates in Attica. All their political rights they not only retained, but exercised as A then i ans. Another case was where the cleruch i resided on their estates, and either with or without the old inhabitants, formed a new community. These still retained the rights of A then i an citizens, which distance only precluded them from exercising: they used the A then i an courts; and if they or their children wished to return to Athens, naturally and of course they regained the exercise of their former privileges. Sometimes, however, the connection might gradually di olve, and the cleruch i sink into the condition of mere allies, or separate wholly from the mother country. It was to Pericles that Athens was chiefly indebted for the extension and permanence of her colonial settlements. His principal object was to provide for the redundancies of population, and raise the poorer citizens to a fortune becoming the dignity of A then i an citizens. It was of this cla of persons that the settlers were chiefly composed; the state provided them with arms, and defrayed the expenses of their journey. The Cleruchiae were lost by the battle of A ego spot am i, but partially restored on the revival of A then i an power.