Democracy - The Institution of Democracy in Athens
Democracy was developed by the people of Athens. It was considered by outsiders to be a form of mob rule since all the citizens in Athens voted. Oligarchy was the norm and democracy the exception.
Ostraka
Ostraka were the voting paraphernalia for getting rid of public figures.
Ostraka were the voting paraphernalia for getting rid of public figures.
7 Stages in Athenian Democracy
Seven stages in the Athenian version of the democratic form of government
Seven stages in the Athenian version of the democratic form of government
Introduction to Greek Democracy
The ancient Greeks are credited with inventing the institution of democracy. Their governmental system wasn't designed for the enormous spread-out and diverse populations of modern industrialized countries, but there were problems, and the problems led to inventive solutions.
The ancient Greeks are credited with inventing the institution of democracy. Their governmental system wasn't designed for the enormous spread-out and diverse populations of modern industrialized countries, but there were problems, and the problems led to inventive solutions.
Conscription in Ancient Athens
Hoplite service was compulsory in Classical Athens, although the idea of conscription seems to be at odds with the personal freedom of Athenian democracy
Hoplite service was compulsory in Classical Athens, although the idea of conscription seems to be at odds with the personal freedom of Athenian democracy
Ostracism - Athenian Democracy Instituted Ostracism
Part of Athenian democracy was the institution of ostracism whereby the people could temporarily get rid of someone they feared.
Part of Athenian democracy was the institution of ostracism whereby the people could temporarily get rid of someone they feared.
Greek Idiots - Democracy and Voting - FAQ
Were all ancient Greeks required to vote or risk being fined and labeled idiots?
Were all ancient Greeks required to vote or risk being fined and labeled idiots?
Eponymous Heroes
Each of the ten tribes of Athens was named for a hero. That is what is meant by an eponymous hero.
Each of the ten tribes of Athens was named for a hero. That is what is meant by an eponymous hero.
Establishment of Democracy
"The Early History of Athens, Down to the Establishment of Democracy by Clisthenes, B.C. 510," from William Smith's Smaller History of Greece covers the period of Solon in Athens.
"The Early History of Athens, Down to the Establishment of Democracy by Clisthenes, B.C. 510," from William Smith's Smaller History of Greece covers the period of Solon in Athens.
7 Stages of Athenian Democracy
Democracy was not born like Athena (patron goddess of Athens, the birthplace of democracy) fully formed from someone's head, but developed in stages. Here are seven suggested stages in the development of democracy.
Democracy was not born like Athena (patron goddess of Athens, the birthplace of democracy) fully formed from someone's head, but developed in stages. Here are seven suggested stages in the development of democracy.
30 Tyrants
After Athens lost the Peloponnesian War, her democracy was replaced by the oligarchic system of the Thirty Tyrants.
After Athens lost the Peloponnesian War, her democracy was replaced by the oligarchic system of the Thirty Tyrants.
10 Tribes of Athens
List of the 10 tribes of Athens.
List of the 10 tribes of Athens.
Love, Sex, and Tragedy, by Simon Goldhill Book Review
Book Review of Simon Goldhill's Love, Sex, and Tragedy, a new answer to the "Why study classics?" question.
Book Review of Simon Goldhill's Love, Sex, and Tragedy, a new answer to the "Why study classics?" question.
Ancient Greece
Richard Hooker's page on the Areopagus, Solon, Peisistratus, and Cleisthenes.
Richard Hooker's page on the Areopagus, Solon, Peisistratus, and Cleisthenes.
Athenian Political Laws
Sanderson Beck's section on Athenian laws includes a biography of Solon with notes on his life after his archonship.
Sanderson Beck's section on Athenian laws includes a biography of Solon with notes on his life after his archonship.
Rise of Athens and the Athenian Democracy With a Glance at Sparta
From John Porter's site, background information, Greek terms, and readings about the period in Athenian history from Solon to Cleisthenes.
From John Porter's site, background information, Greek terms, and readings about the period in Athenian history from Solon to Cleisthenes.
Eclectic Bibliography of World Democracy
An annotated bibiography with notes about voting and the way democratic government was run in ancient Athens.
An annotated bibiography with notes about voting and the way democratic government was run in ancient Athens.