Cleruchia
(
κληρουχία). A kind of Greek colony, which differed from
the ordinary colonial settlement in the fact that the settlers remained in close connection
with their mother-city. The Athenian
cleruchiae are the only ones of
which we have any detailed knowledge. A conquered territory was divided into lots of land,
which were assigned to the poorer citizens as
cleruchi or
“holders of lots.” The original inhabitants would be differently treated
according to circumstances. In many cases they were compelled to emigrate; sometimes the men
were killed and the women and children enslaved; but ordinarily the old inhabitants would have
become the tenants of the settlers, and take, generally, a less privileged position. The
settlers formed a separate community, elected their own officials, and managed their
local affairs; but they continued to be Athenian citizens, with all the rights and duties of
their position. They remained under the authority of Athens, and were obliged to repair to the
Athenian courts for justice in all important matters. See
Colonia.