Building Democracy:
A nobleman named Draco took power in 621 BC. He developed a legal code based on the idea that all Athenians, rich and poor, were equal under the law. He made death the punishment for practically every crime. Another ruler, Solon, came to power in 594 BC and stated that outlaws debt slavery, all Athenian citizens can speak at the assembly, and any citizens can press charges against wrongdoers. More reforms were made around 500 BCE which allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate at the assembly, the Council of Five Hundred was created, but only free, adult male, property owners, born in Athens were considered citizens. Next in line, Isagoras and Cleisthenes engaged in a power struggle. Isagoras had support from some fellow aristocrats and Cleisthenes had support of the majority of Athenians. Surprisingly, Isagoras won and became archon eponymous. He ostracized Cleisthenes but Cleisthenes supporters and the ordinary Athenian citizens revolted against Isagoras’ tyranny. They trapped Isagoras on the acropolis for two days and on the third day he fled and was banished in 508 BCE. Cleisthenes was definitely a member of the elite. He was very rich, insulated from the “hoi polloi,” and saw the value of tapping into the talents, intelligence, and the energies of the non-aristocrats (the middle class citizens). What Cleisthenes did was a huge step forward, but democracy had its limits. After several years, Athens practiced a direct democracy.
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