1. Reforms in Athens

2. What is a Golden Age?

3. Demands for Change
Athenian government evolved from an Monarchy (2000 BC) into an Aristocracy (prior to 594 BC).
Under the aristocracy, Athenian wealth and power grew. However, discontent spread among ordinary people.
Power struggles between rich and poor
Monarchy, aristocracy
Merchants – resented the power of the nobles
Soldiers – resented the power of the nobles
Both groups argued that their service to Athens meant they should have more rights.
Foreign artisans – made many goods that Athenians traded, and were angry they could not become citizens.
Farmers: during hard times, farmers were forced to sell their land to nobles. Some even had to sell themselves and their families into slavery to pay off their debts.

4. Representative democracy: ??
As discontent spread, Athens moved slowly towards Democracy, or government by the people.
Democracy in Athens was different from democracy in the U.S. today in many important ways.
Direct democracy: ??
Representative democracy: ??
democracy

5. Famous Reformers: DRACO
Nobleman took power in 621B.C.
Developed legal code (death common punishment) for all Athenians
Debtors worked as slaves to pay off debts
Result: Athens takes step toward democracy.

6. Famous Reformers: Solon
Appointed archon (ruler/magistrate) in 594 B.C.
Outlawed debt slavery (no citizen should own another citizen)
Freed those who had been sold into slavery
Opened high offices to more citizens
Trials by jury
Gave the Athenian citizen more say in important decisions.
Result: Athens became more democratic. More people had a more influential role in the government.
Archon: chief official
Debt, foreigners, assembly
Pentacosiomedimni [19][20]
Hippeis[21]
Zeugitae[22]
Thetes[23]
Solon's legislation only granted to the first three of these four classes a vote in the election of responsible officers, and only to the first class the power of election to the highest offices; as, for instance, that of archon. The first three classes were bound to serve as hoplites; the cavalry was raised out of the first two, while the fourth class was only employed as light-armed troops or on the fleet, and apparently for pay. The others served without pay. The holders of office in the State were also unpaid.
Each division had different rights; for example, the pentacosiomedimnoi could be archons, while thetes could only attend the Athenian assembly. The fourth class was excluded from all official positions, but possessed the right of voting in the general public assemblies (the Heliaia) which chose officials and passed laws. They had also the right of taking part in the trials by jury which Solon had instituted.

7. The Results
Solon’s laws ensured greater fairness and justice to some groups, however:
Not everyone could be a __ Citizen_______
Only wealthy landowners could serve in many positions
The people of Greece were still unhappy. Continued unrest led to the rise of tyrants, or people who gained power by force.
Tyrants often won support of the __ merchant_____________class and the ___ poor___ by imposing laws to help these groups.
Citizen, merchant, poor
Although Greek tyrants often governed well, the word tyrant has come to mean a vicious and brutal ruler.

8. Pisistratus Tyrant, came to power in 546 B.C.
Helped farmers by giving them ___ loans___________ and land taken from ______ nobles________.
Gave jobs to the poor by creating _____ building________ projects
Weakened the nobles by giving poor citizens a greater voice
Loans, nobles, building

9. Cleisthenes 507 B.C. Gave ordinary citizens more say in government
Set up the Council of ____ 500______
members of the council were chosen by all citizens
The council prepared laws for the assembly and supervised the day-to-day work of government
Made the assembly a real ____ legislature____, that debated laws before deciding to approve or reject them.
All male citizens over 30 were members of the assembly
500, legislature

10. Limited Rights
By modern standards, Athenian democracy was quite limited
Only male citizens could participate in government
______ Citizenship_________ was restricted
Slaves had no rights or freedom (10s of thousands in Athens)
However: Athens gave more people a say in decision making than other ancient civilizations.
Male, citizenship

11. Pericles Ruled from 460 – 429 B.C.
Believed that all male citizens, regardless of wealth, should take part in government
Paid salaries to men in public office, so poor men could serve as well
the assembly met several times a month and needed at least 6,000 members present before deciding important issues.

12. Athenian Reformers Pericles Cleisthenes Pisistratus Solon Draco
Write at least two facts about each Athenian reformer.