ATHENS, THE WORLD’S
FIRST DEMOCRACY
Athens Becomes a Democracy
■ The rich took advantage of farmers
and put them into debt.
■ Solon was eventually elected wanted
to avoid a revolt from the farmers.
– Cancelled their debts.
– Allowed all citizens to serve in
government, called the
Assembly.
Democracy Expands
■ Cleisthenes gave even more power to
ordinary citizens.
– Changed organization of citizens
from level of wealth to where they
lived.
■ He created another group of government
officials to govern with the Assembly.
– This group was called the Council of
Five Hundred.
Men in Athens
■ Only men could be citizens.
– At age 18 Athenian men began their
military training.
■ After their service they went on to take
classes in debating, public speaking to
help them become politicians.
■ Reliance on slaves and women opened
up free time for men to discuss
philosophy and participate in politics.
Women in Athens
■ Women could not vote, hold office or
own property and did mostly
household duties.
– Women weren’t allowed to be
citizens.
■ Education involved spinning, weaving
and domestic arts.
■ At 15 years old, girls were considered
ready for marriage.
Education in Athens
■ Believed that producing good citizens was
the purpose of education.
■ Boys were taught at home by their
mothers or male slaves until they were 7
■ Boys then went to school until age 14 to
learn reading, writing, arithmetic and
literature. They also participated in
wrestling, gymnastics and music.
■ Girls learned household tasks from their
mothers and were married at age 15.