World History / Unit 2: Classical Greece and Rome
2.2 Athenian Democracy and the Persian Wars
Notes
Athens developed the world's first known democracy, then united with other Greeks to defeat Persia.
- Reformers: Solon (about 594 BCE) ended debt slavery; Cleisthenes (about 508 BCE) is called the father of Athenian democracy. Pericles later expanded it by paying citizens for public service.
- Athens had a direct democracy: citizens voted on laws themselves in the Assembly. Officials were often chosen by lot, and citizens served on large juries.
- Only free adult males born to Athenian parents were citizens. Women, enslaved people and foreigners (metics) could not vote.
- Persian Wars (499 to 479 BCE): Greeks defeated the huge Persian Empire at Marathon (490 BCE), held off Persia at Thermopylae (480 BCE) and won the sea battle at Salamis (480 BCE).
- Afterward, Athens led the Delian League, an alliance that became an Athenian empire.
Practice
How was Athenian democracy different from democracy in most countries today?
Athens had direct democracy; most modern democracies are representative.
Which group could vote in the Athenian Assembly?
Citizenship was limited to free men with Athenian parents.
What was one effect of the Greek victory in the Persian Wars?
Victory boosted Athens's confidence and power, leading to its Golden Age.
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