Development of Democracy in AthensHow did these men aid in bringing

about democracy in Athens?

Important Terms to Know

O Archon – land-holding aristocrat, initially appointed to office for life. These individuals were responsible for supervising government administration.

O Hoplite – free citizen-soldiers that were equipped with bronze armor and weapons.

O Tyrants – individuals who seized power unconstitutionally, they usually had the backing of the middle and lower classes

Draco

• In 621 BCE he codified(arranged) Athenian Laws to apply to all citizens.

• Although still favouring the rich he code offered more protection laying the foundation for universal legal rights.

Solon – Athenian Noble

O Cancelled the debts of farmers who had borrowed seeds from wealthy landowners and freed those who were forced into slavery.

O Changed the criteria for holding office. All wealthy men were eligible (gave the landless a say in the assembly)

O Increase the number of Archons from 3 to 9, who enforced Athenian law.

O Set up Council of 400, who drafted legislation for the citizen assembly to vote on.

Pisistratus, 546 BCE - Tyrant

O Drove out wealthy landowners and divided up their land among the landless.

O Created a system of state loans for small farmers.

O Encouraged large scale expansion of commerce.

O Created 30 circuit judges that superseded local authorities controlledby aristocrats.

CleisthenesO Reorganizes the Assembly of four tribes into

Ten Tribes – better cross section of Athenian society with fairer representation of classes.

O Gave all citizens membership in the assembly (who did not have to own land)

O Continued to reduce the power of noble families. Increased the Council of 400 to 500 and ensured that 50 members from each tribe were randomly chosen to serve each year.

O Measures to protect citizens against a possible tyrant who wants to seize and abuse power.

O Practice of ostracism.

OstracismO This was a procedure in which any

citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used as a way of exiling someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant.

O If over 6000 people scratched someone’s name onto a piece of pottery they would be exiled

Class Reading ActivityO Read Innovations on page 156 to see what a

typical meeting of the Athenian Assembly would look like.

O Using your notes and the text book, decide which of the governmental leaders in ancient Athens made the biggest impact on the growth of democracy and back up your decision.

O Skim and Scan pages 155 to 158 and, in your notebook, compare the govt. of Athens to the govt. of Sparta. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

O Read Law and Justice on page 159-160, answer questions 2 on page 160.