Athens

Athens

Northeast of Sparta on the Aegean Sea

Naming Athens

King Akteos = Polis named =Akte / Aktike

King Kekrops = Polis named =Kekropia Married Aketos daughter Dragon Body

Naming Athens

The Final NamingKekrops

Naming Athens

Gods compete for the polis’s favor Poseidon – saltwater spring and the first

horse (favored by men of the polis) Athena – olive tree (favored by women of

the polis)

Athena = Athens

WHY??? An extra

woman

Kodros

Athens originally ruled by Kings Last King of Athens A heroic sacrifice (Oracle) & no more

kings (Spartan & Megarans)

A Change in the Government

600BCE- Oligarchy (power in the hands of a few) Rich landowners Poor owed the rich and rebelled

A New Type of Government

Draco “Drakon” (624BCE) Written Laws (aristocrats not

want because easy to interpret unwritten to their advantage)

Write laws in marble placed in agora so all can see them

Fail because the laws were too CRUEL!

A New Type of GovernmentSolon – (638-559 BCE)

Salamis Constitution Take away upper class power Set limits on land owned Erase all debts & free any

enslaved because of debt All people can take part in the

government (assembly & law court) Offer citizenship to non-Athenians All boys can be taught a trade Trade increases

A New Type of Government

Solon Continued

You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time -- Abraham Lincoln

What does this mean for SOLON?

A New Type of GovernmentPeisistratus – (608-527 BCE)) Solon’s cousin Supported by lower class Divide large estates so all can

own land Didn’t need land to be a citizen Encourage sculpture and other arts to beautify

Athens (created jobs for the poor) New Larger roads Temples 1st Greek Library for literature

Fix economy with his own money (loaned his own $$)

Beginning of Democracy

Peisistratus’s two sons take over (one helps kill the other and then runs away)

Cleisthenes Founder of Athens Democracy 1st democratic constitution

All people have a right to freedom of speech

Which Amendment is this?

The Parts of Cleisthenes’ Government

AssemblyAssembly All males Everyone can vote Debate matters openly Hear court cases Appoint 10 generals (army, navy, city

judges, and commander-in-chief)

The Parts of Cleisthenes’ Government

CouncilCouncil 500 men All males Propose Laws Deal with Foreign Countries Oversee the Treasury and how money

is spent

The Parts of Cleisthenes’ Government

CouncilCouncil Every citizen is on the council for two

years (pick out of a pot) If you wish to be in the council that year

you write your name on a piece of pottery and drop it in the pot

The Parts of Cleisthenes’ Government

Why is this fair??Why is this fair??Why are there no elections?Why are there no elections? Everyone has a chance to win and

serve their government If there was an election the rich would

have an unfair advantage.WHY??WHY??

Non-Citizens

Women Slaves Foreign Born men

Athens Vs USAAthens Vs USA

Athens Democracy

USA Democracy

Athens Culture - Boys

All boys are educated 7 – 18 years old go to private school or

tutor no public school Read Write Math Play Sports Sing & Play instruments

Well Rounded!Well Rounded!

Athens Culture - Boys

18 years old become a citizen with an oath in front of Zeus, family, and friends

I promise to make Athens better in war,

uphold their constitution and

respect their religion

Athens Culture - Boys

After 18 – What do they do?? Morning- Work Evening – Exercise and attend public

meetings

Athens Culture – Girls

Stay at home where they learned household duties such as how to spin and weave thread

If a girl is wealthy she is educated by a private tutor (read, write, & lyre)

Athens Culture – Girls

At the age of 14 –15 they are married Duties:

Take care of the house & kid Rich – servants take care of the house Poor – work in the field with their husbands

Rarely leave the house without a male chaperone

Athens Culture – Girls

Can’t Own Property Women answer to men (like Meso)

Athens Culture – Girls

Some women were completely free!!

Aspasia Not Athenian Free Taught public speaking Plato & Pericles came to her

for advice