AthensChapter 10 Section 3

Geography of AthensA. Location- Northeast of

Sparta on the Aegean Coast

B. Athena- Guardian of Athens1. Goddess of Wisdom and Strategic War2. Gave Olive Tree to Athens

C. Athens had a large flat topped acropolis- famous today!Definition of acropolis-

Government of Athens

A. Democracy- government by the people1. Comes from Greek word Demokratia which meant “People Power”

B. Before Athens became a Democracy1. 750 BCE- Last Athenian king dethroned2. 750-621 BCE- Few male, wealthy landowners rule (Oligarchy)

3.) Civil Wars almost start between rich landowners with lots of power in the government and poor farmers and artisans with no power in government

4. 621-508 BCE- “The Age of Tyrants”a. Time period when 4 men make huge changes in Athens Government, eventually creating a Democracy!

b. Tyranos - Greek word meant ruler who ruled alonec. Today, a tyrant is a cruel and harsh ruler

C. How Athens Became a Democracy1. 621 BCE- Draco- 1st Tyrant

a. First Athenian to codify/write laws

b. Made laws so harsh people almost start civil wars

c. Draconian means harsh and cruel

2. 594 BCE- Solon- 2nd Tyranta. Wrote first constitution- laws forming the basis for a government

b. Limited amount of land one person could own!

(IMPORTANT- More people can own land in Athens!)

c. Allowed all landowners to be members of the Assembly

(IMPORTANT- More people can take part in the government)

d. New and improved Assembly- given power to make laws

(IMPORTANT- this is “People Power”= Democracy)

e. Creates Council- 500 men, chosen by lot, make agenda for Assembly

6.) Erased all debts and freed people enslaved because of debt!

3. 560 BCE- Peisistratus- 3rd Tyranta. Allowed non-landowners to be Athenian citizens and be in Assembly (Poor people have voice in government!)

4. 508 BCE- Cleisthenes- 4th and most famous Tyranta. Wrote world’s first Democratic Constitution- gave freedom of speech

b. Assembly- Free Athenian male citizens over 20 years were membersc. That’s right- women, children, slaves, and Metics- or foreigners working in Athens- all COULD NOT take part in government)

d. Biggest job = make laws

e. Elected 10 Generals to serve as judges or magistrates

f. One of these 10 men was elected Commander in Chief

g. Council of 500i. Job- Write up

recommendations/ideas for any laws

ii. Broken into 10 committees that made sure laws were carried out

iii. How chosen: by lottery - names picked from hat - completely random and fairiv. looks, intelligenceintelligence, wealth, and popularity couldn’t influence who was chosen!

h. Ostracism or the Backward Election

i. Once a year, Assembly met. Wrote on clay tablets name of man they feared might become too powerful

ii. Man with most votes was banished from Athens for 10 years

5. Athens had a limited direct Democracya. Limited means not all people in Athens could vote(Slaves, women, and people born in other states/countries not citizens)

b. Direct Democracy means citizens vote for or against laws that will influence their lives

c. The United States has a Representative Democracy

EducationA. All men could take part in government, therefore all men must be educated so they could make intelligent and wise decisions

1. Boys studied with a tutor, known as a Pedagogue, or they studied in private schools

2. Studied music, math, and writing (strong mind to make wise decisions)

3. Practiced sports daily called gymnastics (strong bodies to defend the city-state)

4. Math was done with pebbles called calculus

5. Music- two instruments were practiced- the harp and lyre

B. Girls were not formally educated in schools

1. Lives revolved around home and family

2. Women did not go out at night, ever!

3. Those who went out in day were veiled or accompanied by another female

C. Ephebic Oath1. At 18 or 20, boys went to the temple of Zeus or Athena and swore their oaths2. Officially became a citizen