History - Democracy in Athens

Leaders in order

• Draco

• Solon

• Peisistratus

• Cleisthenes

• Pericles

Draco

• Law code

• private property

• no blood feud

Solon

• no privileges of aristocracy

• no debt ownership

• political rights based on income

• basis of democracy (branches, controlled by citizens)

Peisistratus

• tyranny

• general income tax

• regular army

• cultural centre, constructions

Cleisthenes

• phyles > administration, recruitment, election

• urban, costal, inland

• wider democracy

• ostracism

Pericles

• strategos for 15 years

• most complete democracy

• daily payment

• taxes from Delian League, commercial empire

Role of demos

• Solon: strong economic position (hoplites), dissatisfied with aristocratic republic

• Peisistratus: wanted further rights, tyranny

• Cleisthenes: prevent tyranny, oversee power

During Solon

• everyone could take part

• Assembly

• Boule / Council of the 400

• Heliaia

• Magistrates: max. 1 year, 2 people in same office, prevent corruption

During Cleisthenes

• Assembly: men over 20, final say

• Boule: 500, state affairs, administration, finances, supervision of assembly

• Aeropagos: supervision of magistrates, legality, religion

• Heliaia: 6000, elected by lot

• Magistrates: elected by lot, except strategoi

During Pericles

• more restrictions on Aeropagos