Evolution of Democracy in Athens

Draco(Before the Persian Wars…struggles between aristocrats and commoners)

issued new law code w/ VERY harsh penalties

draconian – something very cruel and severe

SolonReforms

outlawed debt slavery

could bring charges against wrongdoers

created a jury!

Cleisthenes

citizenship expanded to all free males born in Athens

The Golden Age(480 – 430 BCE)Pericles – led Athens after the Persian Wars

3 Goals:Strengthen democracyBuild Athenian Empire (expand

land)Glorify Athens (buildings and

inventions)

The Parthenonclip

ArtPhidias - Sculptor

Statue of Athena in Parthenon

Greek Sculpture

Architecture

Doric

Ionic

Corinthian

DramaComedy

Slapstick/crude humor

Aristophanes – wrote comedies

Tragedy Serious – love, hate,

war, betrayal

Sophocles – wrote tragedies

Theatre at Delphi

PhilosophySocrates469-399 BCE

Encouraged questioning

Condemned to death for “corrupting” the youth

Drinks hemlock (poison)

Plato427-347 BCE

Student of Socrates

Founded school called the “Academy”

Wrote the Republic

Aristotle384-322 BCE

Student at Plato’s “Academy”

Opened new school called the “Lyceum” in Athens

Invented method of arguing according to rules of logic

Taught Alexander the Great

Philosopher: “lover of wisdom”

Socrates - Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

War…again!

Between who?

Peloponnesian War Athens continues to expand

(uses $ Delian League)

Sparta forms Peloponnesian League and declared war on Athens (Macedonia joined with Sparta)

Peloponnesian War

TWO MAJOR EVENTS: Plague hits Athens (1/3 – 2/3 ppl die) 415 BCE - Athens sends a huge fleet

(27,000 soldiers) that is defeated

After 27 yrs of war, Athens lost its empire, wealth, and power