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Steps to Democracy • City-state was controlled by the land-owning aristocracy • Provided military backbone (only ones who could afford armour) • Governed through a council led by three officials • Nobles often put their interests ahead of other inhabitants • Citizens who were not nobles were powerless • System brought resentment • Merchants demanded more political power • Small farmers forced into debt due to poor harvests • Had to sell to a nobleman and become a tenant or a slave • Skilled tradesmen resented their inability to become citizens • All this discontent led to violence • 621 BCE: Athenian officials appointed Draco to draw up a written code • Wanted to prevent a civil war • • • • Law was very harsh (death penalty for many offences) Public law – to be applied equally to all classes Came up with the idea of “intent” in murder cases Did not work out so well… still violence over next 25 years • Any debtor whose status was lower than that of his creditor was forced into slavery • Death penalty appropriate for stealing even as little as a cabbage • Plutarch: It is said that Drakon himself, when asked why he had fixed the punishment of death for most offences, answered that he considered these lesser crimes to deserve it, and he had no greater punishment for more important ones. • 594 BCE: Next person chosen to ease tensions • Archon = special magistrate to problem-solve between aristocrats and common citizens • Proposed that citizens could decide local issues • Underlying principle of democracy! • Abolished debt slavery • Freed citizens previously forced to sell selves into slavery • Limited amount of land someone could buy • Extended citizenship to some skilled immigrants • Limited exports of grain to solve food shortages • Started Athens on the path to becoming a great trade centre • Ordinary citizens gained greater political power • All wealthy men (aristocrat or not) allowed to run for gov’t offices • Council of 400 • 100 citizens from each of the 4 traditional tribes elected to prepare legislation to be voted on by the Citizen Assembly • Reformed Draco’s law code • Citizens could bring issues against other citizens to court • Tried by other citizens who owned property • 560 BCE: Took power after continual tensions surrounding land ownership • Tyrannos (tyrant) = one who seizes power unconstitutionally (for good or bad) • • • • • • Used a coup that was popular with the people Took land from nobles and gave to peasants Reduced nobles’ privileges Added buildings to the Acropolis Trade and business thrived At death in 527 BCE, power handed to son Hippias • 508 BCE: Overthrew Peisistratus’ son after Spartan siege of Athens in 510 BCE • Organized people into 10 tribes based on area of residence • Council of 500 • Gov’t leaders chosen by lot, not blood • Introduced ostracism • Anyone thought to be a threat to Athens was exiled for 10 years • Set Athens on path to democracy • “demos” (people); “kratos” (rule) • 461-429 BCE: leader of Athens • Army General • • • • Claimed to be “the first citizen of Athens” Turned Athens into an empire Promoted arts and literature Athens became the cultural and educational centre of the Greek world • Built up Acropolis even more – Parthenon • “Created” Athenian democracy • Critics say he catered too much to the people • Every male citizen over 18 had the right to speak • Met about every 10 days • At least 6,000 citizens had to be present for a meeting to take place • If not enough present, police sent out to gather more • Debated and voted on laws drawn up by the Council • Majority rule • Possible decisions: • Tax increases for necessary services • Foreign policy and military operations • Drew up new laws to be debated and voted on by the Assembly • Made up of 500 citizens • 50 from each of the 10 tribes of Athens • Councillors chosen each year by lot • Responsible for day-to-day running of the state • 9 chosen each year by lot • Performed ceremonial duties • 10 military commanders chosen on basis of merit from the 10 tribes of Athens • Elected every year, could be re-elected • Implemented laws decided by Council and Assembly • Accountable to Assembly for actions and money spent