Athenian Democracy & the Roman Republic

Solon: responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing the other anchors, reforming Athenian laws and introducing Democracy.

Solon: implements

He implemented reforms to alleviate debt, reduce aristocratic power, and promote civic participation.

Solon: what did he address

Addressed political, economic, and moral issues facing Athens at the time.

Cleisthenes: responsibilty

"Father of Athenian Democracy" he introduced reforms that established the political structure of democratic governance in Athens.

Cleisthenes: credit

Credited for reorganizing Athen’s constitution in 508/507 BCE, making it democratic.

Cleisthenes: implement

He increased the power of the Assembly and created new political divisions to ensure broader participation.

Cleisthenes: implement

Divided the population into ten tribes based on where people lived rather than their family background, weakening the influence of aristocratic families and allowed more citizens to take part in decision-making.

Demos: definition

“demos” refers to the common people or the general citizenry of a city-state in ancient Greece, particularly in democratic systems.

Demos: significance

it specifically denoted adult male citizens who participated in political decisions through assemblies and juries, highlighting the principle that political power resided with the people rather than just the elite.

Kratos: Definition

The term "kratos" signifies "power" or "rule" in Greek, often combined with other terms to describe governance forms like "democracy" (rule by the people) and "aristocracy" (rule by the best).

Kratos: significance

it represented the authority to govern and the foundational power of political systems.

Aristotle: responsibility

A philosopher and scholar who made contributions across many fields including political theory.

Aristotle: argument

He emphasized the importance of virtue and ethics in governance, advocating for a balanced constitution that serves the common good.

Boule: responsibility

The Boule was a council of 500 citizens in Athens, created as part of Cleisthenes' reforms. It played a vital role in the functioning of Athenian democracy by setting the agenda for the Ekklesia (the popular assembly) and overseeing the implementation of its decisions

Boule: system

The members of the Boule were chosen by lot, ensuring that it reflected a cross-section of Athenian society, and they served for one year.

Ekklesia: responsibility

The Ekklesia was the main assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, where important decisions were made about laws, wars, and foreign policy.

Ekklesia: system

Open to all male citizens over 18, it was one of the central pillars of Athenian democracy, giving ordinary people the chance to participate directly in the political process through debates and votes.

Dikasteria: responsibilty

The Dikasteria were the popular courts of ancient Athens, made up of large juries selected by lot from the citizenry. These courts had significant authority in the legal system, handling criminal and civil cases alike.

Dikasteria: system

The dikasteria were a crucial element of Athenian justice, ensuring that legal decisions were made by ordinary citizens, reflecting the democratic ideals of the city.

Patricians: responsibility

Patricians were the noble, aristocratic families in ancient Rome who initially held most of the political power. Their privileges stemmed from their noble ancestry, and they had exclusive access to certain political and religious roles.

Patricians: significance

Over time, their dominance was challenged by the plebeians, leading to social and political reforms that gradually opened up more opportunities for the common people.

Plebes: responsibility

Plebes, or plebeians, were the common people of ancient Rome, who originally had little political or social power.

Plebes: conflict

Through years of struggle known as the Conflict of the Orders, plebeians gained more rights, including the ability to hold office and the establishment of the Tribune of the Plebs to protect their interests.

Plebes: after the conflict

Over time, plebeians became a powerful political force in Rome, influencing the direction of the republic.

What were the three parts of Greek Democracy under Cleisthenes?

The Assembly, Council of Five Hundred, and the Courts

The Assembly

The Assembly was where citizens gathered to vote on laws.

The Council of Five Hundred

The Council of Five Hundred prepared laws and handled daily governance.

The Courts

The Courts, made up of citizens chosen by lottery, took care of judicial matters.