Loren J. Samons II
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520236608
- eISBN:
- 9780520940901
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520236608.003.0002
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Archaeology: Classical
This chapter discusses the basic structure of Athenian government. It also describes how it resembled the governments of other Greek city-states, and reviews the intricate relationship between ...
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This chapter discusses the basic structure of Athenian government. It also describes how it resembled the governments of other Greek city-states, and reviews the intricate relationship between “society” and “government” in ancient Athens. It first introduces a conservative reconstruction of Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. Not long after the period of Solon's reforms, Athens fell under the control of the tyrant Peisistratus and his sons. The important trends that began under Peisistratus are reported. In addition, Athenian history in the classical period is elaborated upon. The Lamian War (323–322) ended in Athenian failure. In 322, classical Athenian democracy and independent Athenian government both ended.Less
This chapter discusses the basic structure of Athenian government. It also describes how it resembled the governments of other Greek city-states, and reviews the intricate relationship between “society” and “government” in ancient Athens. It first introduces a conservative reconstruction of Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. Not long after the period of Solon's reforms, Athens fell under the control of the tyrant Peisistratus and his sons. The important trends that began under Peisistratus are reported. In addition, Athenian history in the classical period is elaborated upon. The Lamian War (323–322) ended in Athenian failure. In 322, classical Athenian democracy and independent Athenian government both ended.
Thomas N. Mitchell
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780300215038
- eISBN:
- 9780300217353
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300215038.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, Ancient History / Archaeology
This chapter chronicles the beginnings of a new democratic order in the Athenian government via the reforms of Cleisthenes and the new democracy's trial by fire during the Persian Wars. While ...
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This chapter chronicles the beginnings of a new democratic order in the Athenian government via the reforms of Cleisthenes and the new democracy's trial by fire during the Persian Wars. While democracy had no inventor or discoverer, Cleisthenes was credited with reforms that challenged the role of the elite within the existing democratic framework. His was an opposing political ideal, which held that it was the whole body of citizens, not the privileged few, who had the right to political power and the right to control directly the course of political affairs. After discussing the historical literature surrounding his role in the history of democracy, the chapter turns to its tumultuous first four decades struggling through the Persian Wars, before exploring the contributions the series of conflicts had made to the rise of democracy.Less
This chapter chronicles the beginnings of a new democratic order in the Athenian government via the reforms of Cleisthenes and the new democracy's trial by fire during the Persian Wars. While democracy had no inventor or discoverer, Cleisthenes was credited with reforms that challenged the role of the elite within the existing democratic framework. His was an opposing political ideal, which held that it was the whole body of citizens, not the privileged few, who had the right to political power and the right to control directly the course of political affairs. After discussing the historical literature surrounding his role in the history of democracy, the chapter turns to its tumultuous first four decades struggling through the Persian Wars, before exploring the contributions the series of conflicts had made to the rise of democracy.
