ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY – How does it compare to our own democracy? 71

Objectives SWBAT analyze the similarities and differences between the governments of Ancient Athens and the United States. Students will formulate action plans for specific scenarios using the form of government that functions best for that purpose.

Do Now We usually think of our own government as “free” or “fair”. – Describe a time when our government was neither “free” nor “fair.”

Athenian Democracy – How “democratic” was it? Athens was a direct democracy. All Athenian citizens could vote for laws, elect officials, be elected to office and serve on a jury. Citizen – only about 20% of Athens’ population were citizens.

POLIS – Entire Population of Athens (about 150,000) Democracy of Ancient Athens – 450 BCE ASSEMBLY (ECCLESIAE) – All citizens of Athens Male adults born in Athens to Athenian parents. Male adults born in Athens to Athenian parents. Male adults born elsewhere to Athenian parents. Male adults born elsewhere to Athenian parents. Met every 9 days on the Pynx, a hill at the foot of the Acropolis. Met every 9 days on the Pynx, a hill at the foot of the Acropolis. Debated and voted on all Athenian laws and policies. Debated and voted on all Athenian laws and policies. Elected Council of 500, the generals, priests, judges and other officials. Elected Council of 500, the generals, priests, judges and other officials. COUNCIL OF 500 (BOULE) 50 men from each of Athens’ 10 tribes. 50 men from each of Athens’ 10 tribes. Elected every year by the Assembly. Elected every year by the Assembly. Administered Laws passed by the Assembly. Administered Laws passed by the Assembly. Its leader changed daily. Its leader changed daily. Each citizen can only be elected twice to the Boule in their lifetime. Each citizen can only be elected twice to the Boule in their lifetime. JURY COURTS (HELIAEA) 6000 citizens were chosen by lot from the Assembly citizens were chosen by lot from the Assembly. Dealt with all crimes except murder. Dealt with all crimes except murder. PRYTANY Committee of 50 men who managed the work of the Boule. Committee of 50 men who managed the work of the Boule. Elects the Assembly speaker who keeps order at the Assembly meetings Elects the Assembly speaker who keeps order at the Assembly meetings. GENERALS (STRATEGOS) Ten citizens with military experience elected by the Assembly. Ten citizens with military experience elected by the Assembly. Often served for over one year during wartime. Often served for over one year during wartime. Had special powers. Had special powers. MAGISTRATES (ARCHONS) Elected every year. Elected every year. Presided over Jury Courts Presided over Jury Courts Had police powers over the polis Had police powers over the polis. PRIESTS (BASILEUS) Nine citizens elected by the Assembly. Nine citizens elected by the Assembly. Special religious and administrative powers. Special religious and administrative powers.

What about our own government? The United States is a representative democracy, or a democratic republic. Citizens aged 18 and older vote for officials that make and enforce laws on behalf of the people.

Athenian vs. American Democracy Athens Excluded 80% of population. All citizens voted on all laws. Council of 500 enforced laws. Elected officials answered to Assembly (citizens). Governed a city-state of 150,000 people, with overseas colonies. United States Includes women and minorities. Citizens vote for leaders that write and pass laws. Executive branch (President) enforces laws. Elected officials answer to the people. Governs a country of over 300 million people.

Activity – Which would do the better job? Each group will get a scenario, a problem to be solved by a government. Decide in your group which government would do a better job: Athens or the US. Create a multi-step action plan for the government to solve that particular problem. Show your response on chart paper.

Scenario 1: There is a shortage of bread in town. The town next door has so much bread that they can’t eat it all. We have asked if they could sell us some bread, but they refused repeatedly. How can we get that bread for the town? Scenario 2: The roads in town are a mess. It seems that the highways, bridges and tunnels in town are also in need of repair. The town has no money in the budget to handle this situation. How can the roads get fixed? Scenario 3: A crime wave is sweeping across the town. Every night, street after street is covered with garbage, graffiti, and filled with burglaries and assaults. The police are keeping order in the wealthier, downtown areas, but the poorer areas are still struggling. How can the struggling area get help from this crime wave.