Athens: The Evolution of Democracy

Objectives• Explain the political evolution of the city-

state.

• Define “democracy”

Evolution of Democracy

• Athenians created a new type of government.

• Power in the hands of the people

• This is called democracy

• Governed by the people

Origins of Democracy

• Before the Dark Age, people were ruled by kings.

• Monarchy

Monarchy

“Only one person has all of the power”

Oligarchy“Small group of nobles sharing power equally.”

Democracy“the people have the power”

Problems• Some city-states grew so large it’s farmers

could not grow enough food for the people.

• Angry

Bad Rulers

• Rulers put these farmers into slavery and took their land.

• Forced their power

Tyrant• When a ruler takes power by force

• Single-handedly takes over.

• Some people supported tyrants.

• Tyrants made promises

Athens Democracy

• 510

• People of Athens were upset with a ruler named Hippas

• Instead of replacing him with someone else.

• The people took control.

Citizenship

Who Was a Citizen?

• Democracy in Athens was open to only citizens.

• Only a few people

• Who could be a citizen?

Athenian Citizens• Men

• Over 18

• Only when his father was a citizen

• Later: a man could only be a citizen if

• Father

• and Mother’s father

• 300,000 people living Athens

• 45,000 were citizens

• Wives and children were not citizens.

• 145,000 people

• Women had no political rights.

• 35,000 residents

• Foreigners

• Came from other Greek city-states

• Traders, shopkeepers, craftsmen, bankers

• Could not vote

• or hold public office

Metics

Slaves• Many captured from war

• Could not vote or choose their own jobs

• Not allowed to have a family

• Some learned trades

• These people got paid

• Eventually bought their freedom

PopulationAdult Male

Citizens 15%

Wives & Children 48%

Metics 12 %

Slaves 25%