- Solon (c. 600 - 561)
Debt bondage and loss of holdings to creditors led to political unrest. The rich non-aristocrats wanted power. Solon was elected archon in 594 to reform the laws. - Tyranny of the Pisistratids (561-510)
Benevolent despots took contol after compromise of Solon failed. - Moderate Democracy of Cleisthenes (510 - c. 462)
Factional struggle between Isagoras and Cleisthenes following the end of the tyranny. Cleisthenes allied himself with the people by promising them citizenship. Cleisthenes reformed social organization and put an end to the aristocratic rule. - Radical Democracy of Pericles (c. 462-431)
Pericles' mentor, Ephialtes, put an end to the Areopagus as a political force. In 443 Pericles was elected general and re-elected every year until his death in 429. He introduced pay for public office (jury duty). Freedom at home and domination abroad. - Oligarchy (431-403)
War with Sparta led to the total defeat of Athens. In 411 and 404 two oligarchic counter-revolutions tried to destroy democracy. - Radical Democracy (403-322)
Stable time with Athenian orators Lysias, Demosthenes, Aeschines debating what was best for the polis. - Macedonian and Roman Domination (322-102)
Democratic ideals continued despite domination by outside powers.
Source: Eli Sagan's The Honey and the Hemlock
Continue with Democracy Then And Now.
