The population of Athens had been growing steadily for many years now. There had been calls for the Areopagus to be enlarged to allow it to better decide the destiny of so many people. The Archon heeded the call and instructed the priests to cast their auguries and allow the blessed wisdom of Athena to decide which family to elevate.
* * *
The pre-dawn light filtered through the window, accompanied by a soft breeze carrying the scents of the desert. Phillipos turned over in bed, still sleeping softly. He had performed the burial rites for his father the previous day and had been singing laments late into the night.
Suddenly a loud banging reverberated around the house, someone was knocking on the door.
"Wha', huh. F'the love o' the g'dess," said Phillipos, clearly not yet ready to be roused from slumber.
The knocking came again, louder this time.
"Oh come on, it's not even dawn," said Phillipos, exasperated.
Once more the knocking came
"XANTH!" yelled Phillipos, calling the family slave
Mercifully the knocking ceased, a few seconds later there came the sound of footsteps outside Phillipos chamber.
"Master," came the voice of Xanthippus, "there are some men from the city guard asking for you."
"Tell them I'll be there in five minutes and then help me get dressed."
A calculated fifteen minutes later Phillipos, properly attired in his chiton, opened the door. As Xanthippus and informed him three city guards stood outside.
"Phillipus Demandros, son of Solon?" enquired the leader
"Yes." responded Phillipos
"I have been ordered to escort you to the Archon's palace."
"For what reason?" demanded Phillipos
"My lord," responded the guard, "the goddess has selected the Demandroi to be raised to the Areopagus."
* * *
The sun had just peeked above the horizon as Phillipos and the guards strode through the city. Phillipos had left Xanthippus to guard the property and the women of the oikos. At the palace steps a group of the Archon's personal guard were waiting.
"These gentlemen will take you to the Archon," said the leader of the city guard, giving a quick salute, "good luck, my lord."
As the city guard went back into the city to go back on patrol the personal guard gestured for Phillipos to follow them. The personal guard were far more taciturn than the city guard and did not say a word the entire time they were escorting Phillipos.
Eventually they reached a closed door with a slave standing beside it. The escort stopped sharply and the slave approached Phillipos.
"You are the kyrios of the Demandroi?" he asked, Phillipos just nodded in response.
The slave slipped into the room. Through the door Phillipos could hear him speak.
"My lord Archon, Phillipos Demandros has arrived."
"Very well, show him in," came the response
The door opened wide and the slave said, "the Archon will see you now."
The guards escorted Phillipos into the room and before melting into the shadows.
Despite the early hour the Archon's table was piled high with wax tablets. He was reading a tablet in one hand whilst holding a chunk of bread in the other. To his left was a plate containing the rest of the bread and some cheese and an earthenware cup.
"Ah, Phillipos, I'm glad you agreed to come," said the Archon putting down the bread and the tablet as he stood to greet his guest, "would you care for some water?"
"Thank you, my lord" replied Phillipos
"Take a seat," said the Archon, indicating a low bench whilst gesturing for the slave to bring Phillipos some refreshment.
"May I ask what is required of me, my lord." enquired Phillipos
"Required? Nothing. But in Her divine wisdom Athena has selected your family to sit on the Areopagus. If you accept you will be expected to fulfill your duty to the polis by advising me, voting upon legislation to be submitted for my approval and any other duties I decide to delegate to Areopagus. If you accept there will be a ceremony in the Hall of the Areopagus, an oath of loyalty to the Megakyrioi Archons, the gods and the polis and a feast in your honour.
"So, do you accept?"
"I do, my lord." replied Areopagus Phillipos Demandros.