I.

Democracy in Athens
A. Questions to answer:
1. How did democracy in Athens work?

Ancient Athens was an example of direct democracy. Citizens voted directly on the issues

2. What were its main principles?

Athens was ruled by many, Invented New Government Based on Dignity, Freedom as Ideal of Individual
Free Men. Majority rule. Male citizens make and vote on laws in the assembly, participated in juries
Women were not allowed to participate in decisions.

3. How did they vote?

Greek democracy created at Athens was direct, rather than representative: any adult male citizen over the age
of 20 could take part, and it was a duty to do so. The officials of the democracy were in part elected by the
Assembly and in large part chosen by lottery in a process called sortition

4. How did they choose leaders?

by sortation. election by lot, a method of choosing public officials in some ancient Greek city-
states (also known as tribes (political groups)) this way citizens equality was assured. pure
chance, aft er all, could not be infl uenced by things like money or popularity.
(military offices and some financial offices were chosen by voting because those roles were too
important to be a matter of luck.)

5. What were the main offices and institutions?

the main institutions were the council of 500, the assembly of the demos (people) and the court
main offices were magistrate (court), jurors(council), treasurer, 10 strategos,

6. What were some of the major steps towards establishing democracy in Athens?

Solon laid out some of the basics of democracy and later in the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader
Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, or “rule by the
people” (from demos, “the people,” and kratos, or “power”). 

7. Which was the Golden Age of Athenian democracy and how did it end?

The 5th century BCE was a period of Athenian political hegemony, economic growth, and cultural
flourishing that is sometimes referred to as the Golden Age of Athens.
The Peloponnesian War (against spartans) marked the end of the Golden Age of Greece, a change
in styles of warfare, and the fall of Athens
B. Terms to define:
1. Polis: a city state in antient greece
2. aristocracy: the highest class in certain
societies (noble birth, holding heredetary
titles)
3. the demos: the people
4. tyranny: cruel and opressing government
or rule
5. assembly (ekklesia): Met 40 times per
year
Passed Laws by public votes. All citizens
could participate
6. jury court (heliaia): a body of people
presided over by a judge, judges, or
magistrate, and acting as a tribunal in civil
and criminal cases.
C. Important names: Draco, Solon, Cleisthenes, Pericles, Phidias
D. Topographical data: Athens, Sparta
E. Chronology: the middle of the 5th century BC - "The Golden Age of Pericles"
7. demagogy: political activity or practices
that seek support by appealing to the
desires and prejudices of ordinary people
rather than by using rational argument.
8. strategos: leader of an antient greek army
9. ostracism: temporary banishment from a
city by popular vote.
10. Draco’s laws: harsh and repressive
rules/laws. Tradicional Athenian law code
11. Solonian Constitution: Solon laid the basis
for democracy through eliminating debt
slavery. He also probably established the
Council of 400.
12. Delian League : a military alliance against
any enemies that might threaten Ionian
Greeks. Led mostly by athens