1. Lesson 2-4

2. Government How people are ruled. Who makes the decisions and rules? Why do they get to make the decisions and rules? Aristocrats Rich land owners. Held all the power in Ancient Athens. Oligarchy A government where the people are ruled by a small group. In the early days, Athens had an oligarchy. The people tried to overthrow this group but failed. Draco punished the people with harsh laws.

3. A word that describes something that is extremely harsh or unfair. To go against.

4. A leader who holds power through the use of force. A government that is run by one person who takes power by force.

5. Today, a tyrant is a ruler who is harsh but back in the times of Ancient Greece, tyrants were usually good leaders. Tyrants in Ancient Greece were able to keep their power because they had a strong army AND the people usually supported them too.

6. After Draco, a guy named Solon tried to calm the people by making the laws a little easier. The people were still angry when a noble named Peisistratus took over the government with the support of a loyal army. Since he took power by force, he is considered a tyrant. Peisistratus was a good ruler and was supported by the people. He brought many improvements to Athens and the city-state became very successful under his rule.