DRACO
SOLON
PISISTRATUS
CLEISTHENES

1. Canceled debts of the poor.
2. Determined that all male citizens over age 20 could be in the Assembly
3. Wrote harsh code of laws
4. Created a following among lower classes
5. Stopped debt slavery
6. Set up the Council of 500
7. Exiled nobles who disagreed with his policies
8. Set up a court of appeals for citizens
 
 
 

1. Canceled debts of the poor.

SOLON

2. Determined that all male citizens over age 20 could be in the Assembly

CLEISTHENES

3. Wrote harsh code of laws

DRACO

4. Created a following among lower classes

PISISTRATUS

5. Stopped debt slavery

SOLON

6. Set up the Council of 500

CLEISTHENES

7. Exiled nobles who disagreed with his policies

PISISTRATUS

8. Set up a court of appeals for citizens

SOLON

An aristocracy ruled in Athens prior to the four reformers. After the four reformers individuals were selected for one year terms to serve on the council. Individuals were selected by"lot". Town meetings were held to make the selection. People meet in the agora to debate issues and give speeches about their opinions. People who highly skilled in rhetoric (public speaking) were held in high esteem. Individual participation was demanded. This became the unique Greek system of democracy; a government ruled by the people. The four reformers did not intend for this to happen.

What did they do that may have led to this attitude of individual participation?

How is democracy different than just popular government?
 
 

This system evolved, or developed slowly after many little changes. Sparta continued to be an aristocracy. Why would it have been more difficult for Sparta to have become a democracy?