Ancient GreeceWho has the vote?

Warm-Up: Mythology Review

•1. What role did mythology play in the lives of ancient Greeks?▫A.▫B.▫C.

•2. How does ancient Greek mythology continue to impact modern society?▫A.▫B.▫C.

Vocabulary• Monarchy- a system of government in which a King or Queen

rules• Oligarchy- a system of government in which only a few people

have power in the government• Tyrant- a leader who usually holds power through use of force• Democracy- any system of government in which people rule

themselves; it comes from the Greek word “demos” and “kratia” = “rule of the people”.

• Direct Democracy- a system of government in which citizens vote directly on all decision of the government; it was practiced by Athens

• Citizen- a person who owes loyalty to a country and receives the responsibilities and the protections of its government

• Pericles- a famous leader of Athens; he helped strengthen democracy in Athens and encouraged people to take pride in their city

• City-State- a city and the surrounding countryside; how Greece was politically organized; polis is the Greek word for city

Warm-Up – Title (Athenian Democracy) answer these questions

•1. What is a citizen?•2. What are the requirements to be a citizen in the U.S.?

•3. What type of government does the U.S. have?

• 1. What is a citizen?▫A person who owes loyalty to a country and receives

its protection.• 2. What are the requirements to be a citizen in

the U.S.?▫Born in the U.S. or on U.S. territory.▫Born to a parent who is a U.S. citizen.▫Apply and complete citizenship process.

• 3. What type of government does the U.S. have?▫Republic or representative democracy.▫Citizens elect representatives to speak for them in

political matters.

Solon – “an injury done to the least of its citizens – is an injury done to them all”.

Governments of Greek City-States…

1. MonarchyRuled by a king or queen.

2. OligarchyRuled by a small group of people.

3. TyrantRuled by a leader who held power through the use of force.

Democracy in AthensPericles – Athenian statesman known for his leadership, and supporting Athens after war with the Persian Empire•1. After being

ruled by kings, nobles, and tyrants, the Athenian government came under the control of the citizens in 500 B.C.E.

Acropolis – hilltop fortress for religion and politics

• 2. This government, Demokratia (demos – people + kratia – rule), allowed every citizen to have a voice in determining how the Athenian city-state would be run.▫Direct Democracy

– every citizen directly involved in political decisions.

Democracy in Athens• 1. All citizens had the right to participate in the

assembly that created the city’s laws.• 2. Every citizen had the right to speak their

opinion.• 3. Every citizen had the right to vote after

speeches were over.• Usually, fewer than 6,000 citizens attended the

meetings, which were held every 10 days.• Because the assembly was so large, Athenians

selected Ten officials known as generals who carried out the assembly’s laws and policies.

Aeropagus, or “Hill of Ares”, functioned as court of Appeals for criminal and civil cases.

• 3. Assisting in decision-making, a council of five hundred citizens was selected by lottery each year.

4. Athenians felt lottery was fairer than an election, which might favor the rich, believed in this system.

The Boule – meeting place for the Council of 500• 4. Regular

political meetings were held at which time every citizen was allowed to attend, make speeches, and vote.

• The Council proposed laws, dealt with foreign countries, and oversaw the treasury.

Athens Becomes More DemocraticUnder Pericles

• Pericles, a general of the Persian Wars, and leading political figure, guided Athens for more than 30 years, from 461 B.C.E., when he was first elected, until 429 B.C.E., shortly before his death.

• Pericles made Athens even more democratic. ▫ Encourages the Athenians to

take pride in their city.▫ Participating in government

was just as important as defending Athens in war.

▫ Believed people’s talents were far more important than social hierarchy.

• Pericles began to pay people who served as public officials, judges, and juries, so they would be more willing to participate in government..

Who has the vote? Copy this outline. Predict who will be the most numerous.

•A. Slaves -•B. Metics -•C. Female children of citizen -

•D. Male children of citizen -

•E. Wives of citizens –•F. Citizen

SLAVES

•No rights and will never be a citizen

•Master’s permission to marry or have children

•Permission to work for money – rare, but could purchase freedom

•Treated according to ownership

METICS

•Male or female, from another city-state

•Rich or poor•Move if you wish•Run your own affairs•NO voice in government and will never become a citizen

FEMALE CHILDREN OF CITIZEN

•Father can abandon child

•NO SCHOOL•Learn “Home Skills” from mother

•No rights and will never be a citizen

MALE CHILDREN OF CITIZEN

•Some education•Wealthy attend for years

•Academic and physical classes

•YOU WILL BE A CITIZEN!!!

CITIZEN’S WIFE

•No rights and will never be a citizen

•Husbands property•Home activities•No contact with husband’s guests•Escorted outside home for religious festivals and plays

CITIZEN•Male•Father – citizen•Mother’s Father – citizen•18 yrs old you will serve two years in

military•Debate and vote in assembly•Serve on jury•Eligible to serve on Council of 500 (reviews

ideas before presented to the Assembly)•Rich, poor, farmer, craftsman, merchant

Ancient Democracy Differs from Modern Democracy

In Athenian Direct Democracy In U.S. Representative Democracy

1. All citizens met as a group to debate and vote directly on every issue.

2. There was no separation of powers. Citizens created laws, enforced laws, and acted as judges.

3. Only free male citizens could vote. Women, foreigners, and slaves were not citizens and could not vote.

1. Citizens elect representative to debate and vote on issues for them.

2. There is a separation of power. Citizens elect some people to create laws, others enforce laws, and others to be judges.

3. Men and women who are citizens have the right to vote.

Debriefing

1. Who was a citizen in ancient Athens?

2. How did Athenian Democracy compare/contrast with American Democracy?

Speech

• 1. Brainstorm and list issues to discuss.

• 2. Choose one issue from your list to debate & vote on.

• 3. Prepare a 30 second speech defending your issue.

• 4. Deliver your speech – “debate”.

• 5. Vote

• Ideas for issues• Students should be

required to wear school uniforms.

• Children should be allowed to vote at age 14.

• Grades should be abolished.

• No curfews!!• Think of others!!!

Independent Activity1. Do you think Athenian

Direct Democracy was a good or bad thing?

2. How would you have handled being a non-citizen and having to follow laws/rules that you may not necessarily agree with?

3. Can you defend your position about being a citizen in Athens?

4. What changes to Athenian Democracy and or Athenian Citizenship would you recommend?

•Clear and detailed supporting examples – a minimum of three to five per focus question.

•Use a minimum of two paragraphs

•Be prepared to share and defend your thoughts.

Debriefing

•1. Did your opinion change on any statement? Why or Why not? Explain.

•2. Did anyone have a good opinion for any of the statements? Why or why not? Explain.

•3. Which statement did you most agree with? Why?

•4. Which statement did you least agree with? Why?