Greek Democracy

Greek Democracy

The meaning of the ancient Greek word demokratia was somewhat ambiguous. Literally, it meant “people-power” or “people-rule”—but it was not entirely clear whether “people” meant only qualified citizens, or all persons (the masses). The Greek word demos could mean either.

The origin of the Athenian democracy can be traced back to Solon, around 600 BCE. Although he was not a democrat, Solon's constitutional reform package laid the basis upon which democracy was pioneered one hundred years later by the progressive aristocrat Cleisthenes. Under this political system, Athens successfully resisted the Persian attacks of 490 and 480 through 479 BCE, most ...