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Athenian Government Rocks
By- Ananya Jain
Team Athens
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Beginning of Democracy and brief summary
Direct Democracy
Set up and organizations of Athens
Assembly
Council of 500
People’s Court
Athens VS Sparta
Conclusion
The Beginnings of Democracy
Before democracy had hit Athens, it was a tyranny. But
Cleisthenes, a wealthy Athenian statesman rose to
power and created a new form of government,
democracy. In democracy, the rules were simple and
fair, unlike Sparta who had elements of a monarchy &
oligarchy (but mostly oligarchy). Spartans had kings and
overseers who didn’t care for the people, while Athens
had a simple government like today that was of the
people, for the people and by the people.
Direct Democracy
Athens had a democracy, but instead of a democracy
where we elect representatives to represent us, in
Athens, you voted on laws yourselves. This is what we
call a direct democracy. A direct democracy was better
than an oligarchy because in an oligarchy, although you
get certain protections, you get very little political
rights such as voting. Therfore, you have a very little
say in how the city-state should be run. Since an
oligarchy was mainly run by aritstocrats, who only
cared about themselves (most of the time) no say was
given to the people. In Athens, though, voting and
team decisions were essential and important and all
citizens, rich or poor got a say in Athenian government.
It was very fair.
Set up of Athens for Government
Athens
1. around 10 officials that
were elected (included
archons and generals)
2. Council of 500 supervised
and made bills
3. The Assembly made
decisions & voted
4. People’s court was used to
appeal judgments against
them
Sparta
1. Kings- rule and in charge
2. Overseers ran Sparta
3. Council/Senate proposed
laws to Assembly
4. Assembly could support
laws of Council.
Even though Athens and Sparta are pretty much neck and neck,
Athenian Government is way better because we didn’t have kings
and our people, poor or rich got to have a say in the vote.
The Assembly
• The assembly was basically the main governing body of
Athen’s democracy.
• Usually 5,000 men attended (woman could not
participate just like Sparta), both rich AND poor
• They met about 40 times a year on the Hill near
Acropolis
• They discussed foreign policy and revised laws
• The men only voted to make final decisions, but
Spartan women weren’t part of government either
Council of 500
• The Council of 500 was a small body in
government responsible for everyday life and
running of Athens.
• Members were chosen in lottery to keep it fair
• The council also was in charge of proposing
new laws to the Assembly
• Both councils of both city-states were pretty
much the same but kings were involved in the
Spartan council.
People’s Court & Other Courts
• The People’s Court (Heliaia) was originally set up by
Solon, a statesman appointed to the job of a
magistrate.
• Its purpose was to “offer” citizens the right to appeal
judgments made against them by rulers.
• The regular court met 200 days a year and had 6,000
jurors who counted votes, or paid jurors on duty
(jurors were always paid so poor people could be
jurors)
• In court there was no judge, jurors made decisions
Athens VS Sparta!!
Athens
• We had a system where
everyone could vote
• The rich and the poor could
make decisions
• Our decisions were fair and
everyone agreed on them
• Our government was more
stable because there was
minimal conflict
• Everyone had a say
Sparta
• You had an oligarchy and
your people had no say
• In Sparta, kings and
aristocrats had a big say
making it unfair
•
Conclusion
Athens and Sparta were rivals, and we could
argue forever on which is better. But Athens
proves to be better in government. Because
this government is for the people, by the
people, and to the people. 