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Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule
Greece is the birthplace of
democracy, a type of government
in which people rule themselves.
“Demo” means “the people”
But not all Greek city-states were
this way…
An oligarchy is a government
in which only a few people
have power
Aristocrats, or rich landowners
ran the city’s economy and
served as generals and judges
In the 600s BC there was a rebellion,
but the rebels failed to overthrow the
aristocrats.
As a result, Draco created new, harsh
laws
In the 590s BC Solon created new laws,
which were less harsh
•All free men became citizens, people
who could participate in government
In 546 BC, Peisistratus overthrows
the oligarchy
He becomes a tyrant, or one who
holds absolute power through force
He brought peace and prosperity
to the city
His son took over after his death
The aristocrats were not happy
They convinced a rival city-state
to attack Athens
As a result of this attack, the
tyrants lost power
Around 500 BC Cleisthenes
gained power in Athens
•He thought aristocrats had too
much power
•He overthrew the oligarchy
and formed a new kind of
government, a democracy
Every citizen (free males) had
the right to be involved in
government
•Voting was done by showing hands
or sometimes ballots
•As many as 6,000 people were
needed to vote
Changes in Athenian Democracy
As the government grew, changes took
place
•Smaller councils were made
•They decided which laws should be
presented to the assembly
•Juries had from 200 to 6,000 people
Athens remained a democracy for about
170 years
Lead the government from 460
to 429 BC
He felt strongly that all citizens
should participate
Started the practice of paying
those who served in office and on
juries
Athens is conquered by
Macedonia in 330s BC
Remained a democracy, but in
a limited way
In 320s BC, it ended forever
Ancient Athenian vs Modern
American Democracy
Direct Democracy
• All citizens (male
and free)
participate
• Each person’s vote
counts
• Majority rules
Representative
Democracy
• Men and women
vote
• Officials elected by
the people to
represent them
• These officials meet
and make laws