1. The Foundations of Democracy
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome

2. A. Ancient Greece

3. The birthplace of democracy is in Athens
Athens used to have a monarchy
Then it became an aristocracy
Then, when the citizens governed or ruled themselves, it became a democracy

4. Democracy developed because of three Athenian rulers: Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles.
They allowed citizens to vote and Athens developed into a direct democracy.
However, not everyone was considered a citizen

5. They also separated the government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).

6. Democracy ended when Macedonia (country to the North) invaded Greece in 338 B.C.
Alexander the Great then ruled Greece

7. Philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle continued the development of democracy through their writings
Natural Laws: laws of nature that explained how people desired self-rule

8. Socrates – 1st great Greek philosopher to voice his beliefs in democracy.
Believed in a meritocracy where those with exceptional ability (really smart) and moral character should be leaders.

9. Plato – wrote The Republic.
Believed a state should be ruled by the wisest not the richest to save the people from evil.
They would be called philosopher-kings.

10. Aristotle – wrote Politics.
Believed men had a desire and need to live in a governed society.

11. Greece’s Legacy to Democracy –
Direct Democracy
Three Branches of Government
Natural Laws

12. B. Ancient Rome
Rome discovered democracy through contact (war) with the Greeks

13. Established a Republic in 509 B.C.
Divided government into three separate branches

14. Legislative branch made up of the:
Senate which controlled foreign and financial affairs
The two assemblies

15. Created the Twelve Tables
A written law code that applied to EVERYONE.
Romans believed citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.

16. Rome’s Legacy to Democracy
Idea of a republic
legal and political terms used today
A government of laws, not of men