Summary
- How democracy came to be
- Cleisthenes (left in charge since last ruler had fled when Sparta attacked Athens) turned to the people for help on what to do
- Named this a direct democracy
- Citizens are only male whose parents and grandparents where born in Athens
- Rights of Athenian Citizens
- go to Assembly
- speak and vote freely
- serve on jury
- own land
- have a share in decision
- become archon or priest
- have equality under law
- be soldier or monk
- be holder of political rights
- have chance to be elected into office
- Responsibilities of Athenian Citizens
- pay taxes
- take part of defense in the city
- make sure they have a good education
- learn to weigh the arguments of a debate and reach a decision
- learn to express views eloquently and persuasively
- acquire the physical strength and skills to defend his city
- Women
- were not allowed to be citizens
- expected to be loyal and patient with their husbands
- learn the crafts of spinning and weaving
- love to wash the household's clothing
- have knowledge of wool, the making of clothes, and food preparation
- ability to raise children
- Metics
- Metics were non-Athenians who found Athens more appealing than their homelands
- did not have the rights of a citizen, but had all the responsibilities:
- performing in military
- paying special tax
- register in the local community where they lived to nominate a citizen as a sponsor or guardian
- Slaves
- jobs: inside the home to help the women, outside in the fields, acting as attendants
- worst job ever: going out to war with their owners to help carry weapons on battlefield
- Inventions and Innovations
- architecture (buildings)
- underwater aqueduct (public works, pipelines)
- water clock (used to time trials and debates)
- democracy (type of government)