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Development of Democracy in Athens

Development of Democracy in Athens. How did these men aid in bringing about democracy in Athens?. Important Terms to Know. Archon – land-holding aristocrat, initially appointed to office for life. These individuals were responsible for supervising government administration.

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Development of Democracy in Athens

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  1. Development of Democracy in Athens How did these men aid in bringing about democracy in Athens?

  2. Important Terms to Know • Archon – land-holding aristocrat, initially appointed to office for life. These individuals were responsible for supervising government administration. • Hoplite – free citizen-soldiers that were equipped with bronze armor and weapons. • Tyrants – individuals who seized power unconstitutionally, they usually had the backing of the middle and lower classes

  3. Draco • In 621 BCE he codified(arranged) Athenian Laws to apply to all citizens. • Although still favouring the rich he code offered more protection laying the foundation for universal legal rights.

  4. Solon – Athenian Noble • Cancelled the debts of farmers who had borrowed seeds from wealthy landowners and freed those who were forced into slavery. • Changed the criteria for holding office. All wealthy men were eligible (gave the landless a say in the assembly) • Increase the number of Archons from 3 to 9, who enforced Athenian law. • Set up Council of 400, who drafted legislation for the citizen assembly to vote on.

  5. Pisistratus, 546 BCE - Tyrant • Drove out wealthy landowners and divided up their land among the landless. • Created a system of state loans for small farmers. • Encouraged large scale expansion of commerce. • Created 30 circuit judges that superseded local authorities controlled by aristocrats.

  6. Cleisthenes • Reorganizes the Assembly of four tribes into Ten Tribes – better cross section of Athenian society with fairer representation of classes. • Gave all citizens membership in the assembly (who did not have to own land) • Continued to reduce the power of noble families. Increased the Council of 400 to 500 and ensured that 50 members from each tribe were randomly chosen to serve each year. • Measures to protect citizens against a possible tyrant who wants to seize and abuse power. • Practice of ostracism.

  7. Ostracism • This was a procedure in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used as a way of exiling someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant. • If over 6000 people scratched someone’s name onto a piece of pottery they would be exiled

  8. Class Reading Activity • Read Innovations on page 156 to see what a typical meeting of the Athenian Assembly would look like. • Using your notes and the text book, decide which of the governmental leaders in ancient Athens made the biggest impact on the growth of democracy and back up your decision. • Skim and Scan pages 155 to 158 and, in your notebook, compare the govt. of Athens to the govt. of Sparta. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? • Read Law and Justice on page 159-160, answer questions 2 on page 160.

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