Cleisthenes and Democracy


  • cleisthnes- definitely a member of the elite
  • very rich
  • insulated from the "hoi palloi"
  • but... a craft politician
  • saw the value of tapping into the talents, intelligence, and energies of the non-aristocrats (middle class)
  • still didn't realize the value of women
  • Draco (621 BCE) 
  • Solon's reforms (594 BCE)
  • allowed citizens to submit laws for debate at the assembly
  • created the council of five hundred
  • ...only free adult make property owners born in Athens

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