Download CRQ 1 - Jury System in Athens

MS – 45
Grade 6
World History
CRQ #1
Ancient Greece
The Athenian Jury System
Directions: Use the information below and your knowledge of social studies to answer the
questions that follow.
Historical Background: The jury system in ancient Greece, and particularly the city-state of Athens, has
always been considered one of Greece’s major democratic achievements. In this system, there were no
lawyers; rather the defendants were responsible for presenting their own cases. Only male citizens could
appear in a law court. If a defendant was a woman, she had to be represented by the nearest male
relative.
In Athens, only male citizens, 30 years of age or older, could serve as jurors. Jury duty was considered
an Athenian citizen’s civic obligation. Jurors placed “guilty” or “not guilty” disks (like the one below) into a
bronze urn. Voting was secret and the majority of votes decided the verdict. Jurors listened to a case
and passed judgment immediately.
Athenian Voting Disk
Name: _____________________________________________ Class: _________
MS – 45
Grade 6
World History
CRQ #1
Ancient Greece
The Athenian Jury System
1. What Greek city-state was known for its democratic jury system? [1]
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2. What Athenian jury system object is represented by the diagram on the
first page? [1]
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3. What was expected of every Athenian citizen? [1]
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3. Using the historical background, what part of the Athenian jury system does
not sound “democratic” to us today? [2]
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4. Explain one way in which jury duty in ancient Athens was the same as jury
duty today? [2]
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5. In a criminal or murder trial in the United States, the jury must be unanimous
to reach a verdict. In ancient Athens, a simple majority of the jurors decided
each case. Which method is fairer? Why? [3]
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