Athenian Democracy Flashcards
What is Athenian democracy?
A system of government in ancient Athens where citizens participated directly in decision-making
Athenian democracy is characterized by the assembly and the Boule (council of 500) where citizens could vote on legislation.
What were the main social classes in ancient Athens?
- Society (middle class)
- Antisans
- Merchants
- Slaves
- Commoners with no political say
- Women
- Children
- Metokoi (those who had no citizenship)
These classes reflect the hierarchical structure of Athenian society, with varying degrees of rights and privileges.
Who were the ‘demos’ in the context of Athenian democracy?
Commoners
The term ‘demos’ refers to the common people of Athens who played a crucial role in the democratic process.
What are the two main bodies involved in Athenian legislation?
- Assembly
- Boule (council of 500)
The Assembly was where citizens gathered to discuss and vote on laws, while the Boule prepared the agenda for the Assembly.
Who was Heisthenes and what was his contribution?
A reformer known for establishing the foundations of Athenian democracy in the 6th century BC
Heisthenes introduced significant reforms that increased the power of the common people in governance.
Fill in the blank: The Athenian council of 500 is known as the _______.
Boule
The Boule was responsible for setting the agenda for the Assembly and managing daily affairs of the city.
True or False: Women had political rights in Athenian democracy.
False
In Athenian democracy, women were largely excluded from political participation and decision-making.
What social group inclouded artisans?
Downtown
