Download The Evolution of Athenian Government

The Evolution of Athenian
Government:
Monarchy, Aristocracy, Tyranny
and Democracy.
Beginnings - Monarchy
• The city-state of Athens was
founded by the descendants of the
Mycanaeans, and was named for the
goddess Athena. According to
mythology Athena won control of
the city from Poseidon. Like many
of other city-states of the 800’s BC,
Athens was ruled by a monarchy,
where individual kings passed
down their rule from generation to
generation. These kings held
absolute power over the city.
Trouble for the Monarchy:
Rise of the Aristocrats
• By the 700s B.C., the kings began to lose power over the
land holding wealthy nobles (rich people), or
aristocrats. The aristocrats had supplied the king with
military force as they made up the cavalry. In the
aristocracy the collective group of aristocrats began to
exert control over the city and were responsible for
decision-making. Under the aristocracy their was little
opportunity for social advancement as only those born into
the aristocracy would be able to have a say in government.
The poorer farmers and laborers were often neglected and
were indebted to the aristocracy due to rents on land.
Unrest: The people turn to
Tyrants
Greek Soldier
• The common people typically
made up the foot soldiers, or
infantry, in Greek armies. The
infantry began to play a larger
more important role in battle
and the aristocracy began to
lose power. Members of the
middle class joined the poor in
crying out against the
aristocracy for a voice in
government and wanted the
polis to move in a new
direction.
Rise of Tyrants
• By 650 B.C., unrest led to the overthrow of the
aristocracy. In a Tyranny, one man overthrows
the aristocracy and used their military power to
seize control for themselves. These men held
power absolutely and were known as tyrants. The
term tyrant has a negative association but many
tyrants actually worked for reform and ruled in the
interest of the masses. Others who ruled harshly or
unjustly are responsible for the negative
association with the term.
• Today we call the Dictatorships
Important Tyrants in Athens
• Some men who worked for reform in Athens were:
• Draco: As the first notable tyrant, he established a harsh
written and public law code so that all could know what
was legal and what was illegal. Draco’s law code was very
harsh, and the term draconian has developed to describe a
harsh ruling.
• Solon: Solon worked heavily to reform Athens improving
the economy, canceling debts and freeing men enslaved by
debt. H was a wise man respected by all classes. He also
gave the lower classes a voice by setting up a two-house
legislature which included the common man.
Democracy is born
• Cleisthenes: As a tyrant, Cleisthenes restructured Athenian
government and began to include even more people. He is
credited with the establishment of democracy,a
government by the people, where the people make the
decisions, in 507 B.C.
Cleisthenes
Athenian Democracy
• Athens was democratic until 336 B.C. Athenian
democracy was a “pure” or “direct” democracy
as every citizen could and were expected to vote
on decisions. The US has a representative
democracy as we vote for representatives that
make decisions for us. Unfortunately, Athens did
not extend citizenship to all members in its society
as women and slaves were denied citizenship, thus
having no participation in the government.