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PROLOGUE: The Rise of Democratic Ideas
Lesson 1
The Legacy of Ancient Greece
and Rome
Key Terms and People
government system for exercising authority
monarchy government controlled by one person
aristocracy state ruled by the noble class
oligarchy government ruled by a few powerful people
democracy idea that people can govern themselves
direct democracy government in which citizens rule directly and not through
representatives
republic government in which citizens elect the leaders who make government
decisions
senate aristocratic branch of Rome’s government
Before You Read
Recall what you know about democratic ideas.
In this lesson, you will learn how democracy started in Greece
and Rome.
As You Read
Use a web diagram to record the contributions of Greece and Rome
to democracy.
ATHENS BUILDS A LIMITED
DEMOCRACY
How did democracy develop?
Throughout history, people have felt
the need for a government, or a system
for controlling the society. In some
societies, people have lived under single
rulers, such as kings. This type of rule is
called a monarchy. These rulers had
total power. Other governments that
developed included aristocracy, which is
a state ruled by the noble class. Later as
trade expanded, a class of wealthy
merchants often ruled a land. This was
known as an oligarchy. The idea of
democracy—that people can govern
themselves—grew slowly over time.
In the sixth century BC, a statesman
named Solon developed the first
democracy in the city-state of Athens.
Each year an assembly of citizens
elected three nobles to rule Athens. All
citizens were able to vote.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook
Name _____________________________ Class _______________________ Date ____________
Lesson 1, continued
Only about one-tenth of the people
were citizens. All free adult males were
citizens. Women, slaves, and foreign
residents could not be citizens.
About a hundred years later, a leader
named Cleisthenes increased the power
of the assembly. He allowed all citizens
to present laws for debate and passage.
He also created a council that suggested
laws and advised the assembly. Council
members were chosen at random.
1. Who were not considered citizens in
Athens during the time of Solon?
of a republic have the right to vote and
to select their leaders. However, voting
rights in Rome belonged only to males
who were not born slaves or foreigners.
Rome’s republican government had
separate branches. Two officials called
consuls were in charge of the military
and the government. The legislative
branch was made up of a senate and two
assemblies. The senate was made up of
wealthy landowners. The assemblies had
other classes of citizens. In times of
trouble, the republic gave complete
power to a ruler called a dictator.
3. How was the Roman legislative
branch organized?
GREEK DEMOCRACY CHANGES
What changes occurred in Greek
democracy?
Athens became the leader of the citystates in the fourth centry BC. Its ruler,
Pericles, strengthened democracy. He let
citizens, even poor ones, participate in
government. This idea is called direct
democracy.
The Greek city-states had problems
and began to fight each other. Then
Greece was defeated by armies from the
kingdom of Macedonia. This loss ended
democracy in Greece.
During this troubled time, several
philosophers appeared. Socrates, Plato,
and Aristotle developed their ideas on
government and society.
2. Why did democracy end in Greece?
ROMAN LAW
Why did Romans create a system
of laws?
The Romans created a system of laws
that they could use throughout their
empire.
In 451 BC, the Romans created the
Twelve Tables, the first written collection
of Roman laws. The tablets were
publicly displayed. Having written laws
meant citizens were more protected. The
laws were also more fairly administered.
About 1,000 years later, all Roman
laws were put together in the Code of
Justinian. The Code established the idea
of “a government of laws, not of men.”
4. Why were the Twelve Tables
important?
ROME DEVELOPS A REPUBLIC
How was the Roman government
organized?
Rome began to rise as Greece fell. By
509 BC, Rome was a republic. Citizens
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook
Name _____________________________ Class _______________________ Date ____________
Lesson 1, continued
As you read this lesson, fill in the chart below by naming each person’s
contribution to the development of democracy in ancient Greece.
Greek Leader
Role in Developing Democracy
1. Solon
2. Cleisthenes
3. Pericles
Use the diagram to give examples and to explain how Roman laws
influenced the development of democracy.
Important
Principles
Roman
Laws
Written
Legal Codes
Influence on
Democracy
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook