Democracy

Cleisthenes:• past 60 when he began work

on the constitution of Athens• achievements were made

through the citizens’ assembly• methods allied him with the

ordinary citizen • took Athens a step further to

democracy

Cleisthenes:

1. reformed the tribal system

2. introduced the Council of 500

Cleisthenes:

1. reformed the tribal system

2. introduced the Council of 500

Cleisthenes:

divided the 140-200 demes (natural sub-divisions of Attica) into three regions: city, coast, and inland

the regions were divided into ten tribes called trittyes.

The ten new tribes were named after local heroes: Erechthesis, Aegeis, Pandianis, Leontis, Acamantis, Oeneis, Cecropis, Hippothontis, Aeantis, and Antiochis.

Results:

1. Old clans and noble families controlled less political power because they were now able to control only one-third of each tribe.

2. Citizenship was based on locality

3. Citizenship granted to foreign tradesmen and other aliens in and around Athens.

4. The army:

• tribes were roughly equal in number• tribes contributed a regiment of hoplites and a

squadron of cavalry• commanding the army were the 10 strategoi (or

generals

Cleisthenes:

1. reformed the tribal system

2. introduced the Council of 500

Cleisthenes:

1. reformed the tribal system

2. introduced the Council of 500

Council of 500:

• each member randomly chosen from those citizens who were at least thirty years old

• approved by the outgoing council

The Council of 500:

1. replaced the Council of 4002. was enlarged to five hundred, 50 from each tribe 3. divided into 10 committees of 504. each committee was in charge of administration

and government for a month 5. more people were now directly involved in

government

Duties of the Council of 500:

Responsible for the day to day running of the city-state

1. most important government and judicial group of Athens

2. kept a check on the actions of public officials3. controlled the finances of the city-state 4. prepared business for the assembly5. in charge of foreign policy6. important role in making all laws 7. could meet as a court to try a case to impeach a

public official

The areopagus:

• no changes1. was still to have powers of censorship2. dealt with homicide cases.

The assembly:

•meet regularly•decided matters that affected the daily lives of citizens•consisted of all citizens over 20 years of age•was to be the final authority•passed laws and decrees•voted on war/peace and taxes

The people's courts:

•increased in number•juries selected by lot•used for appeals and for civil cases

Ostracism:

•a meeting of the assembly once a year

•voters named a person to be sent into exile

•the names of persons proposed for exile were scratched onto pieces of broken pottery (ostraka)

•6,000 votes were needed

•the exile was to be for 10 years

•no loss of citizenship or property and the family of the ostracized person was still permitted to remain in Athens

•intended as a safeguard against tyranny

Results of Cleisthenes' Reforms:

1. broke down old allegiances and jealousies2. number of citizens now involved in government

was considerable3. regardless of birth or wealth, political rights were

guaranteed in the election of public officials.

Results of Cleisthenes' Reforms:

4. created a number of popular courts that functioned alongside the heliaea.

5. still large landowners, but the country was one of free peasant farmers and independent city workers.

6. ostracism weakened the areopagus 7. ostracism important in keeping internal order by

eliminating perceived "troublemakers“

Results of Cleisthenes' Reforms:

8. Archons were still elected from the two top classes

9. areopagus (composed of ex-archons) still retained considerable power

10. non-payment of officials still meant that poorer citizens could not take public office.

The Development of Democracy in Ancient Greece

Definition

Etymology

Visual

Monarchy

Oligarchy

Tyranny

Democracy

How was this form of government practiced in ancient Greece?

Why did this form of government decline in ancient Greece?