athens
TRANSCRIPT
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%