Ancient Athens Study Notes

Ancient Athens Study Notes

• City-state – is made up of a city and surrounding countryside that controls it. It is independent of other cities.

• Greece is a mountainous country and its communities were isolated from one another by the rugged landscape. It was because of this isolation, cities developed their own style of government, laws and army

• Tyrant – rulers who seize power and govern in a harsh, cruel manner.

• Ostracism - a method of temporary banishment by popular vote without trial or special accusation practiced in ancient Greece. A possible punishment.

People of Athens

• Citizen – children of parents born in Athens, male citizens could vote. Women could not participate in democracy

• Metics – residents of Athens, but not born there. They couldn’t own land or be citizens.

• Slaves – owned by private Athenians or by city-state. Could not be citizens.

• Boy born was (olive branch) a sign of victory. At age 7, boys and girls went their separate ways. Boys went to school where they learned reading, writing, poetry and math. Learned sports such as running, boxing, wrestling, javelin and discus.

• Girls – (wool) future as a homemaker. Learned household skills – spinning, weaving and child care. At age 15, father chose husband for her. Were allowed to own property, jewelry, and slaves but were not allowed to sell or buy them.

Fairness, equity and rights were a part of Athenian democracy:

• Fair that citizens be allowed to rule themselves.

• Majority rule was fair. Decisions made by voting and law supported by more than half the voters.

• All male citizens had right to belong to the Assembly and vote.

• Women, slaves and metics could not vote.

• The ‘common good’ was the highest value.

Athenian Democracy

Assembly (1st Pillar of Athenian Democracy): 
Met in a large open area on top of a hill called the Pynx. Here speeches, debates, listening, discussion and voting would take place. Took place every 8-10 days. Members conferred and made decisions on matters of war and peace, treaties, religion and taxes and private matters such as cheating. No
laws or decrees could be made with out the majority of the Assembly.

• Direct democracy – people vote directly to make decisions rather than having representatives.

• Decree – decision made by people who are in authority

• Orator – someone who speaks publicly

Council of 500 (2nd Pillar of Athenian Democracy):
Full time government of Athens. Known as the boule and took place in the Bouleuterion. Term of council was 1 year and then new one was selected. Divided into 10 tribes of 50 members. A group of 50 Councillors chosen through lottery were in charge of the Council for 1/10 of the year. Citizens
could serve on the council twice only. The chairman was in charge only for 24 hrs, giving others a chance to be the leader. Council planned the agenda for Assembly meetings and supervised running the government.

• Lottery – names drawn by chance from a large number of choices.

• Agenda – list of topics to be discussed at a meeting.

The Court (3rd Pillar of Athenian Democracy): 

• Magistrate – government official who works for court. Were citizens who were chosen by lottery for a 1 yr term. Sometimes they would set a fine as punishment other times the case would be sent to court.

• Jury – Made up of 501 – 1500 male citizens over age of 30. Chosen by lottery day of the trial. After hearing both sides of the case, the jury would vote on whether or not the defendant was guilty and then would vote on the appropriate punishment.

• Defendant – person who is accused of crime. Female defendants required a male citizen to speak for her.

• Plaintiff – person who brings complaint about another person to court. Women could take a complaint to court.

Types of Information

• Primary Sources - writings and objects crated by people of a certain time. Ie. Books, diaries, paintings, clothing, tools, weapons, temples.

• Inscriptions – important sources of written information