its many achievements of modern European civilization owes ancient Greece.After all, there were the first theater, pedagogy, philosophy, sports and, of course, democracy.The main center of the best in the world in ancient times was the capital of the history of modern Greece.It is therefore particularly great influence on the further development of mankind had the birth of democracy in Athens.
Background
As we know, in ancient Greece dominated policies - the city-state, of which the largest were Sparta and Athens.There existed two sharply divided groups of citizens - winners and losers, as there was enslaved, and these state formations were formed by mergers of peace with some weaker neighbors.Despite this, there was a division along class lines, which could not but cause indignation among impoverished populations.Over time, the contradiction between the aristocracy and the demos became more pronounced.Revolution is brewing, which could prevent only the cardinal revision of the existing state system.
Who was Solon
managed to reconcile all the contradictions of one of the representatives of a noble family Kodridov, formerly the king's.His name was Solon, and he later went down in history as one of the seven sages of ancient Greece.Before entering politics, he was known to the Athenians as an excellent poet and thinker, and then became famous as a successful commander.The 594-year BC.e., at about the age of 34-35 years, Solon was elected archon eponymous, t. e. the chief of 9 collective rulers, and laid on him extraordinary powers.As it turned out, the sage Solon long time preparing for change in your own policy, and he immediately began to reform.After a few decades, his work was continued by Cleisthenes, and that the conversion of these politicians determined the course of development of human society for thousands of years to come.
reforms of Solon
believed that the birth of democracy in Athens, began long before Solon.However, it was he who created the laws to which it has become a draw.First, he announced sisahfiya, cancels all debts pledged land returned to the owner, and it was forbidden to take loans against the people.In addition, due to the Athenian treasury were purchased and repatriated citizens of the policy sold to a foreign country.Solon also set a maximum rate of tenure, ie. E. No citizen could buy plots laid over the area and become extra large landowner.
Authorities
Higher government agencies in Athens during the reign of Solon was the Areopagus, the National Assembly and the boule.The latter was a completely new body and consisted of four people.In fact, many researchers believe that his appearance meant, and the birth of democracy in Athens.The boule previously discussed with all laws and issues, which are then discussed in the National Assembly.Although there Ecclesia in Athens and other Greek city-before, when Solon, it has become a truly functioning body, and it convened more frequently.Moreover, the Archon has issued a decree according to which during the strife every free man who has attained the age of majority, was obliged to take an active role in society, otherwise he threatened with deprivation of civil rights.
birth of democracy in Athens (World History): the reform of Cleisthenes
final formation of the political system of Athens, based on the freely expressed will of the people, took place at the end of the 6th century BC.e.The author of the new reforms became Cleisthenes, who have chosen archon, with the same powers, what once gave Solon.
He divided the territory of Attica 3 District: Athens itself, the coastal strip and flat areas.Each of them, in turn, divided into 10 Tritt.In addition to the territorial, Cleisthenes held as electoral reform.Under the new laws, it formed 10 phyla, which included citizens of the three Tritt, one from each county.Fila nominated from among 50 people to participate in the Council of 500. Thus, Cleisthenes as a contemporary wrote, "shuffled" the Athenians.This meant that they are now elected authorities have not territorial or descent-based and based on personal preferences.
Ecclesia at Klisfene
All important decisions in Athens during this period were taken collectively, ecclesia, exercising legislative, judicial and executive powers.The main issues solved during such general of the People were:
- election of officers;
- decision to change the existing laws and adoption of new ones;
- stigma on individual citizens;
- decisions on important national issues relating to war and peace, to enter into alliance agreements, expenditure of public money, and others.
interesting detail: in front of each "session" of the National Assembly chairman had to hang around the city posters reporting the issues towere considered.In addition, to ensure the impartiality of the Council of 500, each phylum carried out its activities during the one month of the year.
Gelieya
origin of democracy in Athens and marked the emergence of a new type of procedure, which also became a collective.Cases solved the so-called Gelieya - the jury, which consisted of 6,000 people.In parallel, there was also the Areopagus - the court of elders, consisting of aristocrats that with the advent of the democratic institutions began to lose its influence and importance.
Stigma
Origin and development of democracy in Athens and made possible the emergence of an entirely new phenomenon in human history.They became ostracized.Once a year, ekklesia was to answer this important question: "Is there not among the citizens of a man who is able to seize power and become a tyrant?"If the National Assembly considers that such a person is, there shall be another meeting for the procedure of voting at the peculiar potsherds.If a potentially "dangerous" to democracy face received the most votes against him, it expelled from the policy.
Now you know how was the birth of democracy in Athens (reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes) and be able to compare it with a modern analogue.
