The Foundations

of DemocracyA. Ancient Greece

B. Ancient Rome

A. Ancient Greece

• The birthplace of democracy is in Athens

• Athens used to have a monarchy

• Then it became an aristocracy

• Then, when the citizens governed or ruled themselves, it became a democracy

• Democracy developed because of three Athenian rulers: Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles.

• They allowed citizens to vote and Athens developed into a direct democracy.

• However, not everyone was considered a citizen

• They also separated the government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).

• Democracy ended when Macedonia (country to the North) invaded Greece in 338 B.C.

• Alexander the Great then ruled Greece

• Philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle continued the development of democracy through their writings

• Natural Laws: laws of nature that explained how people desired self-rule

• Socrates – 1st great Greek philosopher to voice his beliefs in democracy.

• Believed in a meritocracy where those with exceptional ability (really smart) and moral character should be leaders.

• Plato – wrote The Republic.

• Believed a state should be ruled by the wisest not the richest to save the people from evil.

• They would be called philosopher-kings.

• Aristotle – wrote Politics.

• Believed men had a desire and need to live in a governed society.

Greece’s Legacy to Democracy –

1. Direct Democracy

2. Three Branches of Government

3. Natural Laws

• Rome discovered democracy through contact (war) with the Greeks

B. Ancient Rome

• Established a Republic in 509 B.C.

• Divided government into three separate branches

Legislative branch made up of the:

1. Senate which controlled foreign and financial affairs

2. The two assemblies

• Created the Twelve Tables

• A written law code that applied to EVERYONE.

• Romans believed citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.

Rome’s Legacy to Democracy

1. Idea of a republic

2. legal and political terms used today

3. A government of laws, not of men