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Forms of Government
Chapter 1:2
Contributions of Ancient
Athens and Rome
Democracy
• rule of the people
• originated in Athens, Greece,
between 750 and 550 B.C.
• controlled by an oligarchy of
wealthy citizens
Oligarchy
• a government in which a small
group exercises control,
especially for selfish purposes
• often control the civil, judicial,
military, and religious functions
of government
Direct Democracy
• a system of government
where political decisions
are made directly by the
people rather than by their
elected representatives
The Public Forum:
Direct democracy at work.
Contributions of Athens
• majority rule
• equality of all citizens
• civic obligation
Limitations of
Athenian Democracy
• very few people were actually
considered citizens
• government leaders chosen by
lotteries
Republic
• aka representative democracy
• a nation or state in which the
citizens elect representatives to
manage the government
• established by Rome in 509 B.C.
Roman Social Order
Two main classes:
Patricians
the upper
class of
wealthy
landowners
Plebeians
the lower class
of merchants,
shopkeepers,
artisans and
small farmers
Contributions of Rome
• laws were written down (were
eventually inscribed on twelve
tablets and displayed in the
Forum, or market place)
• judges were required to handle
all cases in a similar fashion
The Roman Forum
Principles of Roman Law
used in the United States
• all free men equal before law
• a person is presumed not guilty
until proven guilty
• circumstances and motive of the
accused must be considered
• some rights cannot be abridged