1. Athens – From Aristocracy to Democracy
The Glory of Greece
Athens – From Aristocracy to Democracy

2. Introducing Athens Athens – originally not as big/important as Sparta
What made the difference? Crazy system of government – DEMOCRACY
“Demo” (people) “kratis” (rule)
“Oligos” (few) “archia” (rule)
Other Greeks thought democracy was stupid/dangerous

3. Four Key Individuals
Like other Greek city states, Athens began as an aristocracy
Had many social problems (poverty) that forced change
Four key people responsible for Athen’s transformation:
Draco (archon)
Solon (archon)
Pisitratus (Tyrant)
Cleisthenes (archon)

4. Draco and the Archons
Archon = leader of aristocratic government (supreme judge)
621 BC – Athens facing severe troubles
Crime/feuds
Poverty
Hunger
Land issues/slavery
Draco elected as archon to fix things
Creates a strict code of law (“draconian”) to curb crimes
Death penalty for everything!
Extended vote to anyone with armour (no land requirement – big!)

5. Solon
Draco’s reforms helped, but did not address poverty/hunger/land issues
Revolution threatening – someone needs to help common people
594 BC - Solon elected as archon
Major changes!
Cancelled/reduced all debts
Eliminated slavery due to debt
Eliminated whole “helot” class – entire population became citizens (except women, foreigners and other slaves)

6. Solon’s Reforms Government
Divided Athens into four social classes based on wealth
First three:
Large and small landowners
Already had vote
Fourth (“thetes”):
Landless men, worked for hire
Solon extends vote, political rights to these people
Wealth does not impact political voice
Also, increased number of archons to nine, to be elected by the Assembly
Gave the Assembly power over all areas of society
Created Court of Appeal – any citizen could be a member

7. Solon’s Reforms Industry Still Not Enough
Started enormous olive-oil industry to pay for food/grain
Created pottery industry as well – became dominant
Still Not Enough
Class divisions still dividing Athens
Could not afford to participate much in democracy – had to work!
Government still dominated by upper classes

8. During a war with a rival city state (Megara), a man named Pisistratus emerged as a hero.
Used trickery to make himself tyrant of Athens.
Pisistratus
The ideal tyrant:
Took from the rich, gave to the poor
Encouraged arts, made Athens an economic and cultural power
Boosted olive industry even more, created navy to protect trade routes
Destroyed upper class dominance of society – the common people can compete

9. Cleisthenes and the Birth of Democracy
After Pisistratus died, Cleisthenes takes leadership of Athens
Finished what previous three had started – empowering common people
Re-designed electoral districts – no longer divided by wealth
Created “Council of Five Hundred”
500 people chosen by chance each year to help run government
Most people participated once in their lifetime
Leather merchant can become general!
Common people rule the country

10. Cleisthenes and the Birth of Democracy
Ostracism developed to prevent future tyranny
If 6000 wrote a person’s name on broken pottery – “ostraka” he was banished for 10 years
Solved problems without violence
Court of Appeal juries expanded – one case had 1501 jurors!
Protected against corruption
Democracy had finally become reality for the common people.

11. The Limits of Democracy
Not everybody could vote
Women, children, “foreigners”, slaves not eligible
Democracy is dangerous?
“Rule by the poor”, uneducated masses
Is this a good thing?
Feared, ridiculed, admired by world leaders for many centuries
See pages – The “Old Oligarch”