Which Group Benefited Most From Athenian Democracy?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Answer and Explanation: Athenian democracy was limited to less than one-third of the population. This group consisted entirely of free men. Therefore, these

citizens

were really the only group that benefited from democracy.

Who supported democracy in Athens?


Solon (in 594 BC), Cleisthenes (in 508–07 BC), and Ephialtes (in 462 BC)

contributed to the development of Athenian democracy. Cleisthenes broke up the unlimited power of the nobility by organizing citizens into ten groups based on where they lived, rather than on their wealth.

Who was the greatest Athenian leader?

The so-called golden age of Athenian culture flourished under the leadership of

Pericles

(495-429 B.C.), a brilliant general, orator, patron of the arts and politician—”the first citizen” of democratic Athens, according to the historian Thucydides.

What groups had a say in government in Athens?

Early Athens was governed by a small group of powerful aristocrats. This type of government is called an

oligarchy

. Oligarchy means “rule by a few.”

Which Greek form of government was the most successful?

By 500 B.C.E., a new form of government was created in the city-state of Athens. This type of government, called

democracy

, gave all of the power to the people. It would soon become one of the most popular and longest- lasting types of government—not only in Greece, but in the whole world.

Why did Athens create a democracy?

The first known democracy in the world was in Athens. Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. … When

a new law was proposed, all the citizens of Athens had the opportunity to vote on it

. To vote, citizens had to attend the assembly on the day the vote took place.

Why was Athens not a full democracy?

Athens was not a full democracy because

most people were not considered citizens and, therefore, could not vote

.

Who is the most famous Athenian?

  • Solon.
  • Cleisthenes.
  • Plato.
  • Pericles.
  • Socrates.
  • Peisistratos.
  • Thucydides.
  • Themistocles.

How did Pericles change Athenian democracy?

Pericles set about toppling the Areopagus (ar-ee-OP-uh-guhs), or the noble council of Athens, in favor of a more democratic system that represented the interests of the people. He

introduced the practice of paying citizens to serve on juries

, which allowed poor men to leave work and participate in the justice system.

Who was the best leader in ancient history?

  • Alexander the Great. …
  • Genghis Khan. …
  • Boudicca. …
  • Mark Antony. …
  • Cleopatra. …
  • Alaric the Visigoth. …
  • Cyrus the Great. …
  • Augustus.

Who is the father of democracy *?

Although this Athenian democracy would survive for only two centuries, its invention by

Cleisthenes

, “The Father of Democracy,” was one of ancient Greece’s most enduring contributions to the modern world. The Greek system of direct democracy would pave the way for representative democracies across the globe.

What were the key characteristics of Athenian democracy?

What were key characteristics of Athenian democracy

Power was in the hands of the people and all citizens were equal before the law

. Paid juries of citizens heard legal cases and made decisions. Though all citizens were equal, only the wealthy and well-born were likely to serve as jurors or council members.

Which term is Greek for rule of the people?


Democracy

. This term is Greek for “rule of the people.”

What type of government is run by the richest and most powerful citizens?

A plutocracy (Greek: πλοῦτος, ploutos, ‘wealth’ and κράτος, kratos, ‘power’) or plutarchy is a society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income.

Which government is better Sparta or Athens?

The two city-states that best represent each form of government were

Sparta (oligarchy) and Athens (democracy)

. Athens focused more on culture, while Sparta focused more on war. The oligarchy structure in Sparta enabled it to keep war as a top priority.

How did Greece use democracy?

Democracy in Ancient Greece was very direct. What this means is that

all the citizens voted on all the laws

. Rather than vote for representatives, like we do, each citizen was expected to vote for every law. They did have officials to run the government, however.

Rachel Ostrander
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Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.