Cleisthenes (570–508 BCE)

Question 1

Who is known as the ‘Father of Athenian Democracy’?

Answer 1

Cleisthenes

Question 2

Cleisthenes was born into which influential family in Athens?

Answer 2

The Alcmaeonid family

Question 3

In what year did Cleisthenes implement his democratic reforms?

Answer 3

Around 508/507 BCE

Question 4

What was the primary goal of Cleisthenes’ reforms?

Answer 4

To reduce aristocratic power and increase citizen participation in government

Question 5

What governing body did Cleisthenes create to represent all Athenian tribes?

Answer 5

The Council of 500 (Boule)

Question 6

How did Cleisthenes reorganize the Athenian political structure?

Answer 6

He divided Athens into 10 tribes based on geography, not family lineage

Question 7

What practice did Cleisthenes introduce that allowed citizens to vote to exile individuals?

Answer 7

Ostracism

Question 8

During what period did Cleisthenes live?

Answer 8

Around 570-508 BCE

Question 9

Who did Cleisthenes face opposition from after his reforms?

Answer 9

The aristocrat Isagoras and his supporters

Question 10

What was the purpose of ostracism in Cleisthenes’ reforms?

Answer 10

To exile individuals seen as a threat to democracy

Question 11

What political system did Cleisthenes’ reforms help establish in Athens?

Answer 11

Democracy

Question 12

What significant historical impact did Cleisthenes’ reforms have?

Answer 12

They laid the foundation for modern democratic governance

Question 13

What external force supported Isagoras against Cleisthenes?

Answer 13

The Spartan king Cleomenes

Question 14

Why did Cleisthenes’ tribal reforms break regional loyalties in Athens?

Answer 14

They mixed citizens from different regions into the same tribes

Question 15

Cleisthenes is often credited with establishing one of the first known ____ systems in the world.

Answer 15

Democratic

Question 16

Fill in the blank: Cleisthenes divided Athens into ____ new tribes.

Answer 16

10

Question 17

What innovation did Cleisthenes introduce for voting during ostracism?

Answer 17

Using shards of pottery called ostraka for secret ballots

Question 18

What was Cleisthenes’ main contribution to political systems?

Answer 18

Creating a more inclusive system that involved all citizens in governance

Question 19

How are Cleisthenes’ contributions viewed in modern political thought?

Answer 19

They influenced Western democratic ideals

Question 20

What was the primary challenge Cleisthenes faced in implementing his reforms?

Answer 20

Opposition from aristocrats and rival factions

Question 21

What method did Cleisthenes use to weaken the power of aristocratic families in Athens?

Answer 21

Reorganizing tribes based on geography, not family connections

Question 22

What was Cleisthenes’ legacy in Athens?

Answer 22

He is remembered as the founder of Athenian democracy

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Cleisthenes is often referred to as the ‘____ of Athenian Democracy.’

Answer 23

Father

Question 24

What unique practice allowed citizens to vote for the exile of political figures in ancient Athens?

Answer 24

Ostracism

Question 25

Why did some people use ostracism in a humorous or trivial way?

Answer 25

They could ostracize individuals for being too popular or even annoying

Question 26

Which famous story involves a man being ostracized because he was too ‘just’?

Answer 26

The story of Aristides

Question 27

What was the long-term impact of Cleisthenes’ reforms on future generations?

Answer 27

His democratic principles influenced modern democratic governments