6Th Century Athens

6Th Century Athens

Democracy in the context of ancient Athens meant that only noblemen could be rulers, because political power was in their hands.   Money decided on how noble you were and that gave you your social hierarchy.   Political office was linked to property and military expertise.   Most of the population had virtually no role in the political life of the city.  
An examination of the contributions of Solon, Peisistratus and Cleisthenes to the development of Athenian society and democracy (demokratia), and who made the most significant impact.
Solon was appointed archon in the Period 594-3 B.C.   He was a prominent Athenian of noble birth.   He addressed the economy crisis by cancelling debt and outlawing slavery, this reform was called   the ‘seisachtheia’ (shaking off the burdens).
When Solon came to power he put in place a policy of ‘eunomia’ or harmonious government, and seems to have instituted a popular court of appeal.
Pesistratus was a Tyrant of Athens. His sole rule was from approximately 565.   His type of rule was that of totalitarian (supreme ruler), so was the only person who made the laws, he did not include other nobles.   The reforms he put in place were on a social and personal level rather than political.   He built an aqueduct (plumbing), redistributed confiscated land, helped poor farmers, and funded the first public library.
He had Athens interest at heart but a totalitarian’s desires are to leave proof of his power by   building such things as temples. The Temple of Olympian Zeus, was part of his legacy and proof of his rule.

Cleisthenes
Cleisthenes takes power in 510.   He reforms the constitution, and establishes The Boule (Council of the 500), which consists of a board of ten generals, this diluted the power of the aristocracy. He reforms the popular court system and replaces it with an aristocratically-run Council of the Areopagus, which continues to preside only over murder cases. Cleisthenes does all this reforming by appealing to the Greeks’...