What did democracy really mean in Athens?

What did democracy really mean in Athens?

The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words that mean people (demos) and rule (kratos). Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. The Greek idea of democracy was different from present-day democracy because, in Athens, all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government.

What was bad about ancient Athens?

Athenian democracy also was cumbersome and operated slowly. It took longer to make political decisions than some of the city-states that operated oligarchies did. The government was also corrupted and dominated by the elite of the city-state.

What is ancient Athens famous for?

Athens was the largest and most influential of the Greek city-states. It had many fine buildings and was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. The Athenians invented democracy, a new type of government where every citizen could vote on important issues, such as whether or not to declare war.

What kind of economy did ancient Greece have?

Ancient Greece relied heavily on imported goods. Their economy was defined by that dependence. Agricultural trade was of great importance because the soil in Greece was of poor quality which limited crop production.

What was it like living in Athens?

The center of daily life in Athens was the home. Houses were very simple, in comparison to their public places, with few windows, doors, and pieces of furniture. Even food was simple. Bread and wine were served for breakfast and lunch with wine, fruits, vegetables, and fish were for dinner.

What kind of democracy was Athens?

Greek democracy created at Athens was direct, rather than representative: any adult male citizen over the age of 20 could take part, and it was a duty to do so. The officials of the democracy were in part elected by the Assembly and in large part chosen by lottery in a process called sortition.

Why was ancient Athens a good place to live?

One of the biggest benefits living in Athens is that it would be a peaceful place to live in. Now, in Sparta, they focused less on education and government. Their minds were on training and discipline.

Why did the Athenians rely heavily on trade?

For what reason did the Athenians have to rely heavily on trade? Because the land around them did not provide enough food for all the city’s people, Athens economy was based on trade. they would trade olives, olive oil,honey, silver and pottery. and in exchange would get wood from Italy, and grain from Egypt.

What were the characteristics of Athens?

Athens was the largest and most powerful Greek state. It was a city with lots of beautiful public buildings, shops and public baths. The people of Athens lived below the Acropolis (rocky hill). The marble Parthenon, a temple, (see picture above) was built on the highest part of the Acropolis.

What made Athens wealthy?

Under the Athenian Pericles, the Athenians moved the treasury of the league to Athens. The city also continued to consolidate and take monetary resources, increasing its wealth and power. The cities and regions that followed Athens essentially formed an empire under Athens’ leadership by the 450s.

What were Athens disadvantages?

The main disadvantage for the Athenians was that around 430 BCE, a plague struck Athens. This horrible plague killed the Athenian leader Pericles along with many other Athenians, which took a huge toll on their morale. The plague also led to social unrest and lack of unity.

What were the key characteristics of Athenian democracy?

Athens in the 5th to 4th century BCE had an extraordinary system of government: democracy. Under this system, all male citizens had equal political rights, freedom of speech, and the opportunity to participate directly in the political arena.

How did trade work in ancient Greece?

Trade was very important in ancient Greece. The Greeks even built cities in other parts of the world so they could trade goods. Goods could be made in one part of the Mediterranean and sold in another. The Greeks spread their culture to other peoples by selling wine, olives and pottery.

What differences exist between Athenian and US democracy?

The Macedonians ended Athenian democracy in 322 B.C. Democracy is a form of government as well as a political philosophy. In the United States, the form of democracy that is practiced is representative democracy. The sovereignty of this form of democracy is the citizens who participate in the government.