development of democracy in athens
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Development of Democracy in Athens. How did these men aid in bringing about democracy in Athens?. Important Terms to Know. Archon – land-holding aristocrat, initially appointed to office for life. These individuals were responsible for supervising government administration. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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O Created 30 circuit judges that superseded local authorities controlledby aristocrats.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.