Athenian Politics

In Athens, the ecclesia or assembly was the principle organ of Athenian democracy.

Boule was ancient Greek council.

Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy, but it wasn't a one-time birth. There were several stages of evolution in Greek democracy.

The political comparisons between the U.S. and the Classical World, are not limited to Republican Rome. Many look to the birthplace of democracy for molds in which to try to shove American politics. It is not true that all ancient Greeks were required to vote or risk being labeled idiots.

From your Guide. The tyranny of Cylon, and the lawcode that gave us the word draconian.

Short description of the original ostracism and list of ostracized Athenians.

Traditionally attributed to Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution was probably a product of his school. This selection describes events before 479 BC.

At first the council of noblemen who assisted the king in his legislative, executive, and judicial functions, it became the symbol of local self-government. Map shows boule locations.

List of Greeks known to have been ostracized, an ostrakon of Themistocles, and passages on ostracism.

From a lecture on political theory at Macquarie University. Begins with etymology of politically important words, mentions the Persian War, then discusses Thucydides.

Garrett Moritz looks at Thucydides, Epicurus and Epictetus to determine that in antiquity virtue was attainable, but the relationship between people and their society determined what virtue meant.

Cleisthenes was an Athenian statesman credited with a major set of democratic reforms.

Sources on the successors of Peisistratus don't agree on all the details. Read what they have to say.