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In the mid 330s BC, Athens was conquered by the Macedonians from north of Greece, which ended the great age of democracy. Even after being conquered by Macedonia, Athens kept it democratic government. But it was a democracy with very limited powers. The Macedonian king ruled his country like a dictator. The Athenians didn't dare make any drastic changes to their laws without the king's powerful army. They weren't happy about this situation, but they feared the kings powerful army. Before long though, the Athenians lost even his limited democracy. In the 320s BC a new king took over Greece and ended Athenian democracy forever.

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Athens remained in democracy for about 170 years. It reached its height under a brilliant elected leader named Pericles. He led the government from about 460 BC until his death in 429 BC. Pericles encouraged the Athenians to take pride in their city. He believed that participating in government was just as important as defending Athens in war. Pericles began to pay people who served in public offices or on juries to encourage people to participate in government. Pericles also encouraged the people of Athens to introduce democracy into other parts of Greece.

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Due to the new government, citizens had the right to participate in the assemblies that created the city's laws. During meetings, people stood before the crowd and gave speeches on political issues. Every citizen had the right to speak his opinion. The Athenians encouraged people to speak. After speeches were over, the assembly voted. The number of people who voted in the assembly changed from day to day. For major decisions, the assembly needed about 6,000 people to vote. Because the assembly was so large, it was hard to make decisions. The Athenians therefore selected citizens to be city officials and to serve on a smaller council. This helped the government run smoothly.

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Around 500BC a new leader named Cleisthenes gained power in Athens. Although he was a member of one of the most powerful families in Athens, Cleisthenes didn't want aristocrats to run the government. He thought they already had too much influence. By calling on the support of people, Cleisthenes was able to overthrow the aristocracy once and for all. In it's place, he established a new form of government; the first democracy. Cleisthenes is sometimes called the father of democracy.

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When Peisistratus died, his son took over. Many aristocrats were unhappy their power was gone. Some of these aristocrats convinced a rival city-state to attack Athens. As a result of this invasion, the tyrants lost power and, for a short time, aristocrats returned to power in Athens.

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Because the Athenians weren't pleased with the rule of the aristocrats, they wanted a new government. That came in 546BC when a noble Peisistratus overthrew the oligarchy. He became the ruler of Athens. Peisistratus was a tyrant. Athenian tyrants were usually good leaders. Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to the city. He created new festivals and built temples and monuments. During his rule, many improvements were made in Athens.

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The people of Athens thought Draco's laws were way too strict. In the 590s BC a man named Solon created a set of laws much less harsh and gave more rights to nonaristocrats. Under Solon's laws, all free men living in Athens became citizens. The Athenians were not yet satisfied, they were ready for the end of the rule of the aristocrats.

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In the 600s BC a group of rebels tried to overthrow the aristocrats. Possibly as a result of their failed attempt, a man named Draco created a new set of laws for Athens. These laws were very harsh. An example of one of the laws, a minor crime such as loitering punishable by death.

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Oligarchy began when aristocrats took power. This government is where only a few people have power. As the richest men in town, they ran the city's economy. Common people had little say in the government.