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8.3 Democracy in Athens. Before Democracy. Rulers like Isagoras and other cities, like Sparta, feared the growing idea of democracy Oligarchies Aristocrats ruled in oligarchies – ruled by a small group of people One of the leaders named Draco created a list of punishments for crimes
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Before Democracy • Rulers like Isagoras and other cities, like Sparta, feared the growing idea of democracy • Oligarchies • Aristocrats ruled in oligarchies – ruled by a small group of people • One of the leaders named Draco created a list of punishments for crimes • People today still refer to some one who is unusually harsh as draconian
Before Democracy • The Rise of the Phalanx • A new military technique may have been the spark to democracy • The phalanx • Before the phalanx battles were 1-on-1 between aristocrats • Now men fought side by side with overlapping shields and spears • This style cost less, no horse • Since more men were a part of the army the aristocrats had to listen to them or risk losing the armies support
Before Democracy • Tyranny • Tyrants often emerged to fight for the poor • Why would someone do this? • Promised to give land or money to the poor and get their support – often they couldn’t fulfill the promises • Sometimes the tyrants governed fairly • Sometimes they ruled harshly • Today a tyrant is someone who abuses power
Power of the People • Beginnings of Democracy • In 594 BC Solon was chosen to lead the polis of Athens • Ended the sale of the poor who couldn’t pay their debts into slavery • Gave a few non-aristocrats the right to vote for officials • These ideas lead Athens towards democracy Solon Cleisthenes
Power of the People • Later Reforms • In 508 Cleisthenes made other changes • Increased the # of voters • How does this make it more democratic? • Gave more power to the Assembly (Included all male citizens) • Later 461 BC citizens were put on juries • How does this make it more democratic?
Power of the People • The Age of Pericles • Pericles had citizens paid for their services, like jury duty • How does this make it more democratic? • Pericles spoke about people’s abilities not who their parents were • It is their citizenship that gave them rights and responsibilities • In other parts of the world people were subject to their ruler
Power of the People • Education for Democracy • A democracy needs educated citizens to run the government • Formal education was however reserved for boys • There were also some traveling teachers that taught mathematics and oratory (public speaking)
Athenian Democracy at Work • Democracy leads to a Golden Age in Athens • The Business of Government • The main political body in Athens was the Assembly • All adult male citizens could attend • & had the right to speak • A smaller council (500 men) the boule was also key • Chosen by lot • Decided which ideas came before the entire assembly
Athenian Democracy at Work • The Courts • Many different types of courts • Much larger than ours today • From 100s to 1000s of jurors for each case • Older systems became less powerful • The ancient Aeropagus (9 judge panel) lost all power except to hear and judge murder trials
Athenian Democracy at Work • A Limited Democracy • Although this was still not rule by all • Women • Foreigners • Slaves • More Athenians were involved in government than in other places in the ancient world COULD NOT VOTE
Athenian Democracy at Work • Direct Democracy • Athens depended on the involvement of its citizens • Direct democracy is possible because of: • the small size • Commitment of its citizens • Hard work of its citizens • The size of our country makes direct democracy nearly impossible • Representative democracy is more practical • We elect others to represent us
