The ancient Greeks were the first to create a democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words that mean people (demos) and rule (kratos). Democracy is the idea that the citizens of a country should take an active role in the government of their country and manage it directly or through elected representatives. In addition, it supports the idea that the people can replace their government through peaceful transfers of power rather than violent uprising or revolution. Thus, a key part of democracy is that the people have a voice.

Author: Sam Qwato

(1) Short answer:

• Began around 507 BCE.

• Flourished 462–322 BCE, with interruptions.

• Ups and downs.

• Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BCE effectively killed democracy.

(2) These details address where, how and how long Democracy began and lasted.

(3) ‘Democracy’ comes from the Greek words

• ‘demos’ meaning people

• ‘kratos’ meaning rule.

(4) It developed in ancient Athens, around 507 BCE. It flourished in its purest form from 462 to 322 BCE, albeit with some interruptions. It provided the model for what has become the dominant form of government in the world. As of 2015, 125 of 195 countries were electoral democracies.

The democracy of ancient Athens differed from its modern form, reflecting the history of Athens, and the warring Greek states of that era.

(5) After the chaos of the Greek Dark Ages, most of the emergent city-states evolved into Oligarchy. Powerful, self-interested nobles monopolized government. In Athens, the Areopagus, a council and law court, consisting of men of aristocratic birth, controlled the state machinery. They appointed officials, and served as a civil court. Lower classes were excluded from office.

(5a) However, the development of the citizen-soldier model, the Hoplite, in the 8th - 7th century BCE proved disruptive to those who were in power. It led to a certain level of egalitarianism.

(5b) Hoplites were men in the heavy infantry, mainly free citizens (non-slaves), whose primary tactic was the Phalanx, a military formation. Soldiers stood in tightly packed ranks. Each soldier’s shield protecting the soldier to his left.

(5c) Any man who could afford the arms and armor, would be putting his ass on the line, to defend the state. As a result,

• a kind of middle class emerged,

• which declared that service

• should bring full citizenship and political representation.

(6) At the same time, the lower classes were also making demands. Tensions between them and the higher orders, over key issues such as land reform and debt slavery (if you can’t settle your debt, you become a slave), threatened to lead to civil breakdown.

(7) In Athens, some of these tensions were eased around 594 BCE by the reforms of statesman Solon.

• Established a law that declared all citizens could vote in matters of state.

• A law court should admit all citizens.

• He appeased the anxiety of the upper classes by introducing a graded oligarchy, in which power corresponded to wealth.

• The aristocracy were to control the highest offices.

• Middle classses, lesser offices.

• The poor could be selected by lot to serve on juries.

(8) In the late 6th century BCE, Athens fell under the sway of tyrant Peisistratos.

(9) In response, a faction of aristocrats, led by Cleisthenes, allied with lower-ranking members of society, took power.

Above: Cleisthenes

(10) The institution of true democracy is dated to this point, around 507 BCE.

• Cleisthenes introduced true popular government, or direct democracy (as opposed to representative democracy).

• All citizens (adult males, excluding women, foreigners, slaves) could vote directly on policy.

• The citizenry was organized into units by geography, rather than kinship. This broke the traditional ties that underpinned aristocratic society.

• Established random selection of citizens for government positions, rather than basing on heredity.

• Restructured the Boule, a council of 500, which drew up legislation, and proposed laws,

• to the Ecclesia, the assembly of voters.

• In 501 BCE, command of the military was transferred to popularly elected generals (Strategos).

(11) In a nutshell, and simply…

• Aristocratic oligarchy monopolized power.

• Poor farmers forced into debt slavery caused major resentment and agitation.

• Middle class citizen-soldiers achieved military success. Agitated for representation.

• Pressure for change was strong.

• Solon’s limited political reforms failed to meet the demands of the lower and middle classes.

• Peisistratos achieved economic reforms. But, did not satisfy continuing demands for political reform.

• Cleisthenes implemented democracy and other reforms. Created a more egalitarian government.

(12) Did the democracy last?

• No

• During the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) in which Athens was ultimately defeated by Sparta, democracy was twice suspended. The Athenian oligarchs claimed that Athen’s weak position was due to democracy. They led a counter-revolution to replace democracy with an extreme oligarchy. In both cases, democracy was restored within a year.

• Democracy flourished for the next 80 years.

• After the Macedonian conquest of Athens by Philip II, and his son, Alexander the Great in 322 BCE, democracy was abolished.

• Intermittently restored in the Hellenistic period, in the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE.

• Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BCE effectively killed it off.

• Although democratic rule was quashed, Athenian Science and Philosophy lived on. The influence of Plato and Aristotle endured through the ages.

(13a) Fast forward #1… Black Death 1346–1353

• The plague killed millions in the then agricultural feudal society.

• Power elite landowners faced shortage of peasant labor to work the farms.

• Upset the landowner-peasant power equilibrium applecart in the peasants’ favor.

• Sounds familiar?

• Related: Sam Qwato's answer to Was the Black Death a disaster?

(13b) Fast forward #2… 1760

• Industrial Revolution created new urbanized social/economic classes,

  • skilled middle class,

  • working class,

• that agitated for power-sharing with the elites.

• Sounds familiar?