Democracy in Athens facts for kids
Democracy in Ancient Athens, often referred to as Athenian democracy, was a pioneering system of governance that emerged in the 5th century BCE. It is considered one of the earliest forms of direct democracy, where citizens participated actively in political decision-making.
Key Features
Athenian democracy was characterized by direct participation of male citizens in political affairs. To be classed as a citizen in fifth-century Athens you had to be male, born from two Athenian parents and over eighteen years old, and complete your military service. Women, slaves, metics and children were not allowed to become citizens.
Citizens could be involved in the running of Athens and could be chosen for important positions.
All eligible citizens could attend the Assembly (ekklēsia), where they debated and voted on important issues, including laws, war, and public policy.
The Demos
The term "democracy" derives from the Greek words dēmos (people) and kratos (rule). In Athens, the dēmos referred to the collective body of male citizens who had the right to participate in governance.
Institutions
- Assembly (ekklēsia): This was the principal body where citizens gathered to discuss and vote on various matters. It typically met on Pnyx Hill 30 to 40 times a year to discuss how to run the city better. Usually a few thousand actually came to the meeting.
All citizens could attend the meetings. People would stand on a raised platform called the bema to speak. Speakers wore a garland whilst speaking. Any citizen could speak.
All major decisions concerning the running of Athens were decided here – taxes, war, policy, etc. Any decisions were made by a show of hands.
A black pig would be sacrificed to the gods at the start of the meeting to make sure the meeting went well.
- Council of 500 (Boule): Cleisthenes, a democratic reformer, divided Attica into ten tribes in 510 BC. The Boule was made up of 50 male Athenian citizens chosen at random from each of the ten tribes (all over 30 years old). This meant that 500 men were elected, but only 50 served at any one time.
- People’s Court: Citizens also participated in the judicial process through popular courts, where they could serve as jurors.
Ostracism
A unique feature of Athenian democracy was the practice of ostracism, where citizens could vote to exile a person deemed a threat to the state for ten years. This was done through a secret ballot using pieces of pottery called 'ostraka'.
Significance
While Athenian democracy allowed for broad participation among male citizens, it excluded women, slaves, and foreigners from political rights. Thus, only a fraction of the population participated directly in governance.
Participation in democracy was seen as a civic duty. Citizens were expected to engage actively in political life; failure to do so could result in fines or other penalties.
Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle critiqued and analyzed Athenian democracy, discussing its strengths and weaknesses. Their works provide insight into how democracy functioned and its philosophical underpinnings.
Legacy
Athenian democracy flourished during Athens' Golden Age (approximately 460-430 BCE), particularly under leaders like Pericles, who expanded democratic reforms and encouraged citizen involvement. The democratic system faced challenges during periods of war, particularly during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), leading to temporary oligarchic rule and contributing to its eventual decline.
Athenian democracy laid foundational principles for modern democratic systems, influencing political thought and practice throughout history, including contemporary representative democracies.It remains a significant subject of study for understanding the evolution of political systems and concepts of citizenship and governance.
Athens had a direct democracy. This meant that each citizen had an equal say and opportunity in the governing of Athens. All democratic countries now have an indirect democracy. This means members of parliament are elected to make decisions concerning government. There are now too many people in different countries for them to meet on a hillside, and many people are too busy to be able to go many times per year.
Images for kids
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Nineteenth-century painting by Philipp Foltz depicting the Athenian politician Pericles delivering his famous funeral oration in front of the Assembly.
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The relief representation depicts the personified Demos being crowned by Democracy. About 276 BC. Ancient Agora Museum.
See also
In Spanish: Democracia ateniense para niños
