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Table of Contents
Democracy was introduced in Athens, Greece, in 508 BCE by Cleisthenes. He implemented a direct democracy which means the citizens directly participated in democratic decision-making during his time as an archon. Democracy is being enjoyed now by many countries, although it is different from the democracy Greece had.
See the fact file below for more information on Democracy in Ancient Greece, or you can download our 26-page Democracy worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- Ancient Greece was one of the most impressive civilizations in world history. It laid the foundations for the whole western civilization, producing radical innovations in philosophy, science, art, architecture, government, politics, and so much more.
- One of the most significant contributions of Ancient Greece to the world is the introduction of democracy. However, it took centuries and different forms of government before they were able to master democracy.
- Before establishing a democratic government, Ancient Greece was ruled by aristocratic families. Leaders came to power by birth or by power-grabbing tyrants.
- They implemented the Draconian law, written by a tyrant named Draco in 621 BCE. The law forced slavery on the farmers who could not pay their debts or a death sentence for simple crimes like stealing cabbage.
- With these strict and inhumane laws, a revolution was inevitable. However, a statesman and lawmaker named Solon interfered and passed several reforms. He freed the debtees forced into slavery and abolished the death penalty. He also established a council of 400 citizens to help run the country. This council’s creation was his attempt to stop inheriting the power and governance among the nobles. However, only the elite and the wealthiest citizens served in the 400-seat council.
THE TWO RIVALS
- In 508 BCE, an aristocrat named Isagoras was appointed as “archon,” a chief civil official, with the support of the most conservative aristocrats. His regime appeared to have brought back tyranny. He also had the aid of the Spartan king and his military. The Spartan King, Cleomenes, ordered Isagoras’ government to banish the archon’s greatest rival, Cleisthenes.
- Seven hundred households of the Cleisthenes clan, the Alcamaenoids, were brutally cast out of the city. Isagoras justified his action by bringing up an ancient misdeed the family had been responsible for. However, Cleisthenes had the support of the demos or the ordinary people.
THE FATHER OF DEMOCRACY
- Cleisthenes was born in 570 BCE in the aristocratic Alcmaeonid family of Athens. His father, Megacles, was an influential figure in politics, and his mother, Agariste, was the tyrant of Sicyon’s daughter.
- He was made an archon in 525 BCE during the reign of the tyrant Hippias. However, he went into exile when his family fell out of favor with the ruling regime.
- He returned, claiming support from the sacred oracle at Delphi and asking the Spartans’ help to end Hippias’ rule, making him the last tyrant to rule Athens.
- Cleisthenes sought to return to power and fought back against Isagoras with political reforms, which won him widespread support from the ordinary people. A widespread revolution occurred in Athens against Isagoras and the Spartans, forcing them to flee to the Acropolis. On their third day in the city, they were banished. Cleisthenes assumed the leadership of Athens.
GREEK DEMOCRACY
- Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms. He named it demokratia, or rule by the people, with demos, which means the people, and Kratos, which means power.
- Cleisthenes’ form of government was divided into three institutions, the Ekklesia, a boule, and the dikasteria.
- The Ekklesia was the assembly of citizens tasked to declare war, and form a military strategy, electing the strategoi (military general) and other military officials. They made decisions about foreign policy.
- They were also responsible for appointing magistrates and had the final say on legislation. The Ekklesia also had the power to ostracize a person.
- The Boule, a 500-man council with 50 representatives from each Athenian tribe, was responsible for the city’s daily affairs.
- It also set the agenda of the legislative body of the Assembly and executed the political decisions taken in them.
- The dikasteria had more than 500 jurors chosen by lottery from a pool of 30-year-old and above male citizens.
- Because Athens did not have police, the people brought cases to the dikasteria, argued for the prosecution and defense, and decided about guilt and innocence. They then decided the punishments by majority rule.
- The jurors were paid for their work to encourage the free men to participate, but the wage was lower than the average worker’s salary. The majority of the jurors ended up being retirees and elderly.
- Ancient Greece used direct democracy, where the citizens directly participated in democratic decision-making. It operated through an assembly of citizens or used referenda and initiatives in which citizens could vote directly on issues.
- It is different from the current democracy, the representative democracy, where people elect representatives to represent them, who then vote on policy initiatives
- Romans adopted Athens’ direct democracy and amended it to create a representative democracy. Europeans and European colonists used this form of democracy several centuries later.
CRITICISM IN GREEK DEMOCRACY
- Cleisthenes abolished the political distinctions between the Athenian aristocrats, who led the country for many years, and the middle and working-class people who made up the army.
- However, this setup was limited to a small percentage of the Athenian population. Athenian citizenship was only for free men whose parents were legitimate Athenian citizens.
- Their government did not give citizenship to the “resident foreigners, also called the metoikoi, and the enslaved people. Additionally, these free male citizens older than 18 were the only ones who could exercise the democratic process.
- Women and children were not considered citizens and, therefore, could not vote.
DEMOCRACY TODAY
- Although democracy started like this in Athens, it is very different now. Aside from most countries using representative democracy, the elections are now held with a fair opportunity for voting-age people. Additionally, a democratic country produces a government that is accountable to the people and responsible for the needs and expectations of the citizens.
- Greece gave us the idea that ordinary people can be part of the country’s decision-making and not come from one family or one person in power. Also, equality is evident in a democratic government. In Greece, ordinary people such as farmers or traders could have a fair discussion about different issues with aristocrats and wealthy families.
- In 338 BCE, Macedonia defeated Athens in battle. Athenian democracy ended when King Philip II imposed an oligarchic government, where a few people and families ruled the state.
Democracy (Ancient Greece) Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Democracy in Ancient Greece across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Democracy, which was introduced in Athens, Greece, in 508 BCE by Cleisthenes that included people’s participation in politics.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Democracy (Ancient Greece) Facts
- The Father of Democracy
- Greek Kind of Democracy
- Before Democracy
- Which is Which?
- The Rival Archons
- Type of Democracy
- Its All Greek To Me
- Leading Athens
- Democracy Today
- Thank You, Greece
Frequently Asked Questions
What is democracy known for?
The word democracy comes from two Greek words, “demos” and “Kratos.” “Demos” means people, and “Kratos” means power. So democracy is a system that believes in the people. It is all about giving control to those who matter: The People.
How did democracy start?
A long time ago, in a place called Athens, democracy started. It was different than what we have today. Then, all people who could vote were expected to help make decisions about their society.
What does a democracy depend on?
Democracy stands on the bedrock of majority rule and individual freedoms. To protect against oppressive central governments, democracies decentralize government to local and regional levels so that each is accessible and attentive to its citizens. By adhering to these values, democracy emboldens its people’s voices for a stronger future.
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Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.