Ancient Athens

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Ancient Athens
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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 Citizens 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)

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Athenian
Society
Citizens
Metics
Freedmen
Slaves

• Citizens - Natural born Athenians. Both
  parents had to be citizens
• Only citizens owned land and 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 - POWs, Criminals, Rescued Infants
• Treated well. No military service or taxes
  required
• Could accumulate wealth and buy freedom
• Many were employed by government

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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. Couldnt 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

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The Spartan System
Totalitarianism
Government
Education
Spartan Military
Social Life
Family
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Spartan
Society
Citizens 32,000
Freemen 120,000
Helots (Slaves) 224,000

• Citizens - Both parents had to be citizens
• Descendents of Dorians
• All land and 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

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LIFE IN ANCIENT SPARTA

• Education
• Only boys were formally educated
• Revolved around military
• Boys were taken from parents at age 7
• Received minimal literacy skills
• Trained in weapons and virtues of strength,
  endurance and courage
• Girls received vigorous physical training to
  prepare for motherhood

• Family Life
• Men expected to marry by age 30
• Girls married between age 14-16
• Marriages were often arranged by parents and were
  mainly to produce children.
• Homes had bare essentials. No items of comfort.

• Economics
• Spartan economy based on farming by Helots
• Freemen carried on limited trade with other city
  states
• Little wealth spent on culture (art, drama, etc)

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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

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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