1. Athens:
The Evolution of Democracy

3. Objectives
• Explain the political evolution of the city-
state.
• Define “democracy”

4. Evolution of Democracy
• Athenians created a new type of
government.
• Power in the hands of the people
• This is called democracy
• Governed by the people

5. Origins of Democracy
• Before the Dark Age, people were ruled by
kings.
• Monarchy

6. Monarchy
“Only one person has all of
the power”

7. Oligarchy
“Small group of nobles
sharing power equally.”

8. Democracy
“the people have the power”

9. Problems
• Some city-states grew so large it’s farmers
could not grow enough food for the
people.
• Angry

10. Bad Rulers
• Rulers put these farmers
into slavery and took
their land.
• Forced their power

11. Tyrant
• When a ruler takes power by force
• Single-handedly takes over.
• Some people supported tyrants.
• Tyrants made promises

12. Athens Democracy
• 510
• People of Athens were upset with a ruler
named Hippas
• Instead of replacing him with someone else.
• The people took control.

13. Citizenship

14. Who Was a Citizen?
• Democracy in Athens was open to only
citizens.
• Only a few people
• Who could be a citizen?

15. Athenian Citizens
• Men
• Over 18
• Only when his father was a citizen
• Later: a man could only be a citizen if
• Father
• and Mother’s father

16. • 300,000 people living Athens
• 45,000 were citizens

17. • Wives and children were not citizens.
• 145,000 people
• Women had no political rights.

18. Metics
• 35,000 residents
• Foreigners
• Came from other Greek city-states
• Traders, shopkeepers, craftsmen, bankers
• Could not vote
• or hold public office

19. Slaves
• Many captured from war
• Could not vote or choose their own jobs
• Not allowed to have a family
• Some learned trades
• These people got paid
• Eventually bought their freedom

20. Population
Adult Male
Citizens 15%
Wives &
Children 48%
Metics 12 %
Slaves 25%