Ancient Athens

Explain the legend of Athens.

Athena and Poseidon competed for control of Athens. Athena offered an olive tree. Poseidon offered water and the first horse. However, the water was salty and unusable, so they picked Athena as their patron and changed the name from Aktaio to Athens.

What does an olive tree symbolize?

Peace and truce

The citizens of Athens ranged from aristocrats to Poor Farmers. What were the requirements?

You had to be born in Athens, over 18, and a male.

Metics

People living in Athens who were not Athenian citizens could work and pay taxes but were not allowed to own land or take part in government. They could earn citizenship by participating in the army, which caused more people to participate in democracy.

Slaves in Athens

Largest portion of society; not free

Athens required how many years of military training?

1 at 18

What was heavily valued in Athens?

Education, (studied works like the Illiad and Odyssey, played music, etc.)

Athens had elaborate home, T or F?

False, they believed the money for infrastructure should go to the buildings for everyone

Athens had no plumbing, T or F?

True

Were Athenian women above or below men?

Women in Athens were considered socially and legally inferior, and could not own property (not citizens)

Men married women twice their age, T or F?

False, women married men twice their age (13-14 to 26-28)

Women could only appear in public with a man, T or F?

True, they also had to stay out of sight when he had people over

What type of leader was Athens initially ruled by?

Tyrants (Kings)

Who is known as the father of democracy?

Cleisthenes

Cleisthenes introduced demokratia or...

Rule of the people

What do the words "Demos" and "Kratos" mean?

People and power

Name the three separate institutions of Athenian Democracy.

Ecclesia, Boule, and the Dikasteria

Ecclesia

The general assembly where all citizens gathered

Boule

Council of 500 citizens chosen for 1 year terms; Ran Day to Day Tasks

Dikasteria

General courts

What age and gender did you have to be to participate in democracy?

Older than 18 and male

How were people chosen?

Lot/Lottery

Athenian democracy was not a representative democracy but a...

Direct democracy

Triremes

Athenian ships that are long and narrow and built to ram other ships

Themistocles

Athenian general at Battle of Salamis

Greatest example of Athenian democracy and why?

The navy because Themistolces needed people to help, no matter who they were. Lines between classes were blurred and all people had to work together as equals.

During previous times, laws were not written down (T or F), but judges were fair (T or F)?

True and False. Judges were biased and corrupt, negatively impacting the poor.

Who initially wrote down the Athenian laws?

Draco. He was more merciful but not as fair for all (especially for the poor).

Who was asked to make the new laws?

Solon. He gave all Athenian citizens (10%) a vote. They could also attend the Ecclesia (like a town hall).

What is the Draconian Law? Who started and ended it?

Debt slavery (paying back your debt in work as a slave). Draco started it, but Solon ended it and relieved the debts.