Ancient Greek Governments

Draco's Strict Laws:
- Laws under aristocrats were very strict.
- Today, overly strict laws are called "Draconian" after Draco.
- Aristocrats (rich landowners) took power from kings in city-states.
- Loitering was punishable under Draco.
- A government where only a few people hold power is called an oligarchy.
Solon's Reforms:
- Solon tried to fix the strict laws by making everyone a citizen.
- A citizen is someone with the right to participate in the government.
- Athenians were still ready to end the oligarchy.

Tyranny Defined:
- A tyranny is a government in which a tyrant has power.
- A tyrant is someone who held power through force.
- The oligarchy was overthrown by a tyrant named Peisistratus.
Ancient vs. Modern Tyrants:
- In ancient Greece, Tyrants were [often] good leaders, unifying the city and improving Athens.
- Today, the word "tyrant" usually describes a harsh, negative ruler.

Cleisthenes' Reforms:
- After Peisistratus died, aristocrats regained power.
- Cleisthenes, a member of a rich family, took power and created the first democracy.
- Cleisthenes called on the people to overthrow the oligarchy once and for all.

Pericles' Influence:
- Citizens gained power by serving on juries to decide court cases.
- Democracy flourished under Pericles.
- Pericles encouraged other parts of Greece to be democratic.
- Pericles even paid citizens to serve in the government.
- Pericles felt that participating in the government was as important as defending Athens in war.

Macedonian Conquest:
- Athens was conquered by Macedonia to the north.
- The Macedonian king ruled like a dictator (a ruler who rules all).
- The assembly still met but didn't do anything to upset the king.
- Citizens had very little say again, and eventually, Athenian democracy was lost forever.
- Nobody could make decisions without the king's approval.

Direct Democracy:
- Ancient Greece was a direct democracy.
- All citizens represented themselves directly and could participate in government and voting.
- Citizens themselves would gather and discuss issues.
- The population of ancient Greece was large, but still small enough to have a government in place that allowed all citizens to debate and vote.
Representative Democracy:
- The United States is a representative democracy.
- Citizens elect officials to represent them.
- Elected officials meet to make laws and enforce them.
- For example, the United States have senators and congressmen to represent and vote for us.