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404
404 BCE - The Puppet Government of Sparta
404 BCE – The democracy did not last long, Spartans caught the Athenians navy and destroyed it. The city of Athens soon surrendered as Spartans blocked their harbors. These Athenians were chosen by the Spartans, and created a pupppet government by the Spartans -
404
404 BCE - The Overthrow and Afermath
404 BCE – The “bullies” were overthrown, and the city returned to its democracy. They organized and assembled old laws with a new judgement; summarizing the laws and traditions of the first century. These laws would be written so that everyone could see. This allowed the prevention of an endless cycle of revenge on both sides. -
404
404 BCE - An Inscription
404 BCE – There is an inscription that shows the laws that limited the authority of the Council. After having 2 revolution against democracy, many matters were then decided by the people. -
Period: 404 to 431
War - Sparta vs. Athens
431-404 BCE – A dispute, leading to war between Sparta and Athens. This arose from the expansion of Athenian imperialism. An Athenian general Thucydides was able to control the Demos, rather than being controlled BY it. He was able to control it – whether it got out of control, or it rose in a panic. He was the first citizen that grasped democracy. -
411
411 BCE - The Re-writing of the Constitution
411 BCE – After Athenians ended their democracy. They chose 10 officials who were in charge of re-writing the constitution of Athens. There were approximately twenty of these, ad were in addition to the ten councilors already in office. -
411
411 BCE - A New Council
411 BCE – Commissioners offered a new council; having 400 men, five men selected as “Presidents” , who would choose 100 men for the “new and improved” council. The hundred men chosen by the “presidents” would choose 3, creating the “council of 400. “ -
411
411 BCE - A New Council (CONT'd)
The new council would serve to the wealthier citizens (it was a limited service). These 400 men a part of the council were able to choose 5000 men who were able to participate in the assemblies. These men would approach the democratic council, give them their pay that they owed, and sent the Democratic Council back. -
411
411 BCE - Yet Another New Government
This type of government lasted for approximately 4 months before the government was replaced once more – however, this time, 5000 Athenians had the power in their hands. Though this was “far from its reality”, it still was becoming more democratic. -
415
415 BCE - Invasion on Sicily
415 BCE – While there being a small break of peace between the war of Athens and Sparta, the Demos of Athens invaded Sicily, Italy. This resulted in destruction of their navy, but an army of dead citizens. Some citizens took this chance during the aftermath to reel the government away from the democracy it was leading – “leading the city to get trampled upon”. They planned to first create a small body of councillers. Limiting topics that could be addressed by the democratic council and assembly. -
508 BCE - Evidence of First Democracy
508 BCE – The first constitution and concepts of democracy were created. Decisions were made and supported by the village elders, when small communities come together to have some discussions at a village council. This was known as Ancient Athens. -
Period: to 454
Pericles - The Senior Politician
454-429 BCE – Pericles, one of the best known senior politicians, was elected into office. He addressed the Athenians, and persuaded them toward policies he developed. The 2 most famous policies were the “Periclean Building Program”, which created many monumental architectural sculptures/ buildings, and the “Athenian Imperialism Expansion.”
