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Government in Ancient Athens

Government in Ancient Athens. Chapter 8, Section 2 TB 236-241 7th Social Studies Mrs. Coldiron. Ancient Greece. Birthplace of democracy Democracy means “rules of the people” However, Greece did not start as a democracy. Aristocrats Rule.

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Government in Ancient Athens

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  1. Government in Ancient Athens Chapter 8, Section 2 TB 236-241 7th Social Studies Mrs. Coldiron

  2. Ancient Greece • Birthplace of democracy • Democracy means “rules of the people” • However, Greece did not start as a democracy

  3. Aristocrats Rule • In the beginning kings rules the government. • Aristocrats, rich landowners, took power. • Created an oligarchy, a government in which only a few people have power. • Oligarchy means “rule by a few” • Ran the cities economy, served as generals and judges. • A group of rebels tried to overthrow this government.

  4. End to the Aristocracy • They failed • Athens was ready to end the rule of the aristocracy.

  5. The Rise of the Tyrants • Peisistratus overthrew the oligarchy to become ruler of Athens. • Peisistratus was a tyrant. • Brought peace and prosperity, created a strong army. • Peisistratus died leaving his son. • Aristocrats conveinced a rival city-state to attack Athens. • The Tyrants lost power • Aristocrats returned to power in Athens.

  6. Cleisthenes • Gained power in Athens. • Member of the most powerful families in Athens • Didn’t want aristocrats to run the government. • Overthrew the aristocracy • Developed the world’s first democracy • Sometimes known as the father of democracy

  7. Democracy under Cleisthenes • All citizens in Athens had the right to participate in the assembly. • Every citizen had the right to speak his opinion. • Voting was done by a show of hands - sometimes however they would use secret ballots

  8. Changes in Athenian Democracy • Citizens gained more power • Citizens served on juries (200-6,000) • Athens remained a democracy for 170 years.

  9. End of Democracy in Athens • Athens was conquered by the Macedonians from north of Greece. • Athens fell under Macedonian influence. • Powers of democracy were limited. • Athenians could still meet to make laws, but had to be careful not to upset the king. • A new king took over Greece and ended Athenian democracy forever.

  10. Democracy Then and Now

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