Athens

Facts about Athens It was first ruled by kings. In 750 b.c. nobles, merchants, etc took over the government and set up an oligarchy. Oligarchy—a government ruled by a few people. The oligarchy caused fights between the farmers and the upper class. They didn’t want war so they reformed the government.

Draco Draco was a noble who made the first attempt to change the government. He failed because his punishments were too harsh.

Solon In 594 b.c. Solon was a rich merchant who set up a constitution. Constitution is a set of principles and rules for governing. He broke the political power of the rich. Gave land owners right to vote, limiting land ownership. Freed slaves, erased debt, and allowed people to participate in government.

Peisistratus In 560 B.C. he divided the large estates and gave them to farmers who didn’t own land. He was supported by the lower class. He supported art.

A Democratic Constitution 509 B.C. the world’s first democratic constitution was made. It favored the equality of all people. Freedom of speech. Assembly now open to all males over 20 years old.

Constitution Continued 10 generals elected to run army and navy and to serve as judges. 1 commander-in-chief. Council of 500 took care of daily business. No 1 person could serve more than 2 terms. Citizens were required to educate all boys 7 years old and older. No public schools. At the age of 18 they became citizens at the Temple of Zeus.

Persian Wars A series of wars. 545 B.C. Conquered Greek city-states in Asia Minor and Aegean Islands. 525 B.C. Ionia revolted against Persia with help from Greece. Persia won 5 years later.

490 B.C. Darius—the Persian king, sent 600 ships to attack Greece but Greece won at Marathon. Soon after the Greeks found silver near Athens which they made new ships with called triremes (warships with 3 levels of rowers on each side.) Athens now became the largest navy in Greece.

480 B.C. Persia came back to fight. 20 Greek city-states worked together. Sparta led the army. Athens led the navy. Greeks won and ended the Persian Wars.

Delian League A defensive league, a protective group. A defensive league, a protective group. Greek city-states grouping together but Sparta didn’t join. Greek city-states grouping together but Sparta didn’t join. They had a common navy. They had a common navy. Athens became leaders of it and turned it into Athenian Empire with Pericles in charge, he helped build the Pantheon (Greek temple of Athena). Athens became leaders of it and turned it into Athenian Empire with Pericles in charge, he helped build the Pantheon (Greek temple of Athena).

Decline of Athens Because of Delian League other city-states began to dislike Athens. Peloponnesian War Athens attacked a group of Sparta’s allies. Sparta declared war on Athens. 30 years until 404 B.C. and Athens surrendered. Sparta took control and set up an oligarchy.