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11/23/2011 Democracy in Ancient Greece History of Gov’t in Athens 8th c. BCE: Started as monarchy 7-6th c. BCE: Monarchy ended by aristocracy. th 6 c. BCE: Oligarchs/Tyrants 6th/5th c. BCE – 4th c. BCE: Democracy Came to be seen as “mob rule” by the end. Eventually “democracy” would be seen as the downfall of Athens. Not tried again until the 18th c. C.E. in America. 1 11/23/2011 Citizenship in Athens Free, Male, Landowner (initially), Athenian Born, Athenian Born Parents (in the age of Pericles), Aged 20+ Those granted citizenship by the state who were from other Poleis -rare Duties: pay taxes, serve in the military, serve in the Gov’t Rights: voting, debate laws, proposing laws, bringing law suits against wrong-doers. About 40,000 men were citizens. Non-Citizens in Athens Slaves 100,000+ Some could earn/buy freedom, but could not be citizens Resident Aliens 10,000+ Could be granted citizenship Still had to pay taxes and serve in the army. Women About 50% of the population Poor freemen Initially they could not vote, but in the final stage of democracy they could. 2 11/23/2011 Draco (7th c. B.C.E.) Nobleman Took power 621 BCE (Tyrant) Developed a legal code based on idea that all Athenians were equal under the law Dealt very harshly with criminals Death = punishment for practically every crime Allowed debt slavery Solon (630 – 560 B.C.E.) Originally an oligarch Due to economic crisis he was given total power to deal with it in 594 BCE. Outlawed debt slavery Also Repealed the laws of Draco cancelled all public and private debts death was punishment only for homicide Organized all Athenians citizens into 4 social classes by wealth Only members of top three could hold political office This ended the monopoly on public office held by nobility 3 11/23/2011 Solon (630 – 560 B.C.E.) All citizens could participate in Athenian Assembly (Ekklesia) Opened gov’t to all free men Voting, decision making Created a Council of Four Hundred (the original Boule) Elected position High public office Represented interests of wealthy nobles Introduced idea that any citizen could bring charges against wrong-doers Introduced a constitution , but neither rich nor poor liked it. His reforms ended when he left office. A Decade of rich vs. poor followed until 550 BCE Peisistratus (6th c. B.C.E.) Aristocratic Tyrant of Athens 546-527/8 BCE Wanted to start a dynasty of monarchs gave things to the common people to gain their support. Loans to small farmers to promote economic growth Export promotion programs Road construction Public works (beautification of Athens & its Acropolis) Son was not a strong leader (Hippias) Overthrown by Cleisthenes after a short civil war 4 11/23/2011 Cleisthenes (5th c. B.C.E.) Came to power around 500 BCE From a powerful family who had been exiled from Athens Requested help from Sparta to overthrow Hippias Bribed the oracle at Delphi to tell the Spartans to help his family Attacked Hippias and followers on the Acropolis Seen as the Real founder of Athenian Democracy Spartans held members of Hippias’ family hostage until he gave up. Felt people should have the last word in gov’t to keep it fair and peaceful. Broke up power of nobility Registered Athenian citizens by Deme (neighborhood) Reorganized Attica (farmland around Athens) into electoral districts Made people loyal to electoral district, not distant family members. Cleisthenes (5th c. B.C.E.) Increased power of the assembly (Ekklesia) all citizens could submit laws for debate and passage All male citizens excepted to attend 6000 needed for a quorum Created the Council of 500 (Boule) Proposed & implemented laws agreed on by the Assembly Members chosen by lot or at random 1 year term All male citizens could expect at least one term in lifetime Could only serve twice in lifetime Served as day to day legislature and executive branch Oversaw civil and military affairs. Like modern city-council 5 11/23/2011 The Fall of Democracy in Athens Abusive actions and imperial ambitions after the Persian Wars weakened Athens standing. Seen as ruled by a mob. Defeat by Spartans in the Peloponnesian War further diminished the Athenian gov’t. 4th C. B.C.E. – Conquest by Alexander the Great ends Democracy. 6
