Difference Between Basileus And Demoss

The social contract that existed between the basileis and the demos of the Dark Age consisted of expectations. Thus, if the basileus were to take more than what the demos gave him, the contract became void and made the basileus’ position vulnerable to dissolution. Even though the basileus held substantial power over the demos, the demos held the real power. Therefore, the social contract satisfied the demos because the demos provided the basileus with their power, in doing so, the demos also expected the basileus to provide protection, generosity, and fair judgment. The demos expected the basileus to be generous to the members of the demos. Land, spoils, and feasts shared by the basileus with the demos measured a basileus’ generosity. Odysseus, as a basileus, used the demos to obtain riches, but in return, he ensured that the demos were given their fair share of the spoils too:
There I sacked the city, killed the men, but as for the wives and plunder, that rich haul we dragged away from the place- we shared it round so no one, not on my account, would go deprived of his fair share of spoils. (Odyssey: 9.45-50)
Therefore in return for his generosity, Odysseus was given a prize, which was a “splendid ram-as we meted out the flocks my friends-in-arms made him my prize of honor, mine alone.” (Odyssey: 9.612-614). By giving Odysseus the prize of the ram, his crew showed their satisfaction with his actions, especially since Odysseus ensured fair distribution of the spoils. In the Iliad, Thersites attempted to shame Agamemnon as a leader because he felt that Agamemnon was taking far too much for himself rather than being generous