Ancient Athens Ancient Athens Steps to Democracy 621

Ancient Athens

Ancient Athens Steps to Democracy § 621 BC Draco - Established first written legal code in Athens in which all people were equal under the law. Laws were harsh with punishment by death common. § 594 BC Solon - Reformed Code of Draco §Organized Athenians into four classes according to wealth. Outlawed debt slavery. § Established Citizen’s Assembly § Established Law Courts – Any citizen could bring charges. Put nobles under the law. § 510 BC Cleisthenes - Extended democracy § Broke up power of nobility by dividing citizens into 10 districts based on location. § Established Council of 500 § Extended citizenship to males over 18 § Established Strategoi (Executive) § Reformed Jury system (lottery)

Citizens Metics Freedmen Slaves Citizens - Natural born Athenians. Both parents had to be citizens § Only citizens owned land slaves § Only male citizens could vote and hold office § Citizens paid taxes voluntarily Metics - Foreigners born as freemen § Merchants, traders, bankers, and professionals. § Many metics were wealthy. Heavily taxed. § Could not vote or hold office Freedmen - Slaves who were freed by masters § Freed by masters or bought way out of slavery § Many freedmen became merchants and executives §Slaves - POW’s, Criminals, Rescued Infants § Treated well. No military service or taxes required § Could accumulate wealth and buy freedom § Many were employed by government

Life in Ancient Athens Education § Only wealthy boys were formally educated § Taught by male slaves and private teachers § At age 18, boys received one year military training § Girls were taught domestic sciences at home Family Life § Marriages arranged by parents for child rearing § Men were usually ages 28 -30, Girls ages 13 -14 § Women had limited rights. Couldn’t vote or hold office § Upper class women stayed inside § Homes were simple. Wealth went to public works Economics § Farming was an honored profession. Over half of citizens were farmers. Olives, Figs, Grapes. § Most other Athenians were merchants or traders § Manufacturing of textiles, crafts, clothing, ships

The Spartan System Totalitarianism Government Education Family Spartan Military Social Life

Citizens 32, 000 Freemen 120, 000 Helots (Slaves) 224, 000 Citizens - Both parents had to be citizens § Descendents of Dorians § All land serfs were divided among citizens § All Male citizens served in government and military Freemen - Descendents of people conquered by Dorians § Lived and worked in outlying villages. § Subject to heavy taxation. § Could not vote, serve in government or marry citizens Helots (Slaves) - Descendents of people enslaved by Dorians and Prisoners of War §Limited freedoms such as marriage and village life §Subject to military service and martial laws. §Death for rebellion or disloyalty

LIFE IN ANCIENT SPARTA Education Only boys were formally educated u Revolved around military u Boys were taken from parents at age 7 u Received minimal literacy skills u Trained in weapons and virtues of strength, endurance and courage u Girls received vigorous physical training to prepare for motherhood u Family Life Men expected to marry by age 30 u Girls married between age 14 -16 u Marriages were often arranged by parents and were mainly to produce children. u Homes had bare essentials. No items of comfort. u Economics Spartan economy based on farming by Helots u Freemen carried on limited trade with other city states u Little wealth spent on culture (art, drama, etc) u

Spartan Government Oligarchy - Government by the few Legislative Branch Popular Assembly Council of Elders § All male citizens over 30 § Elected Spartan officials § Voted on laws proposed by the council of elders § Two kings-military & religious leaders § 28 men over age 60 § Proposed new laws Executive and Judicial Branch Five Ephors § Elected annually by Popular Assembly § Unlimited Power § Limited to 1 year terms

ATHENIAN GOVERNMENT Direct Democracy - Citizens participate directly Legislative Branch Council of 500 Citizens Assembly § Chosen by lot from males citizens over age 30 § Proposed new laws § Served one year terms §Most powerful branch §Male citizens over 20 §Voted on proposals §All member could speak §Power to ostracize Executive Branch Strategoi § Ten generals chosen annually § Commanded military and controlled finances Judicial Branch Law Courts § Jurors chosen by lot from citizens over age 30 § Typical jury was 501 members - Majority rule § No lawyers or judges