The history and culture of classical Greece has a significant impact on the modern world. Classical Greece

Lesson 2

Rule and Order in Greek City-States

Greek Political Structures

• City-states have different forms of government
• Monarchy—rule by a king; aristocracy—rule by nobility
• Oligarchy—rule by small group of powerful merchants and artisans

Tyrants Seize Power

• Rulers and common people clash in many city-states
• Tyrants—nobles and wealthy citizens win support of common people
• They seize control and rule in the interests of ordinary people

Lesson 2

Athens Builds a Limited Democracy

• Athens avoids major political upheavals through reforms
• Reformers move toward democracy—rule by the people
• Athenian citizens participated directly government

Building Democracies

• First step toward democracy in 621 BC
• Nobleman, Draco, develops legal code based on equality of citizens
• Worsens tensions between rich and poor

Continued…

Lesson 2

Athens Builds a Limited Democracy

Social Structures

• Solon comes to power in 594 BC; introduces democratic reforms:
• Outlaws debt slavery
• top three classes could hold political office
• all citizens could participate in the assembly
• any citizen could bring charges against wrongdoers

Further Reforms

• Cleisthenes introduces more reforms around 500 BC
• allows all citizens to submit laws
• creates Council of Five Hundred
• All citizens participate in limited democracy
• only free adult males were citizens

Continued…

Lesson 2

Athens Builds a Limited Democracy

Athenian Education

• Schooling only for sons of wealthy families
• Girls learn from mothers and other female members of household