Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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.