https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l democracy en-us 2018-11-29 20:30:03 UTC 2018-11-30 21:06:41 UTC hello@padlet.com anna_harris https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309545083 The earliest form of government that Athens used was called Oligarchy. Oligarchy is a form of government in which only a very small group of people rule, and in this case that very small group of people were rich landowners called aristocrats. These so called aristocrats ran the cities economy and often served as generals and judges, however there's a bad side to everything and it this case it was really bad. The rules that these rich landowners enforced mainly benefited them and common people had very little say in the government. This would soon lead to a failed rebel against the government, but all was not lost. ]]> 2018-11-29 20:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309545083 anna_harris https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309552873 As mentioned before, in about the 600's BC, there was an attempt to overthrow this inadequate government but it didn't work as well as people thought it would. As a result of this, a new set of laws came about by a man named Draco. Although this seemed like a step in the right direction, these laws were very, very harsh. Small crimes such as loitering were punishable by death. Many people agreed that these laws were cruel, which introduced a new man the the stage. ]]> 2018-11-29 20:50:39 UTC https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309552873 anna_harris https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309558059 Many people in Athens thought the laws that Draco enforced were too strict. A man named Solon created a new set of laws in the 590's BC that were a lot less harsh. Under him, everyday people were given rights and gained the opportunity to participate in the government. These people would later be called citizens. This, in turn, made many Athenians happy with their government, however not everyone was pleased. This was the end of aristocracy. ]]> 2018-11-29 21:03:38 UTC https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309558059 anna_harris https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309973673 Aristocracy in Athens ended in 546 BC with the help of a noble named Peisistratus. Peisistratus was a tyrant, a leader who held power through the use of force. Many people today think that tyrants are  terrible/harsh rulers, however that was not the case back then. In the ancient Greek days tyrants were usually considered good leaders and were able to stay in power much longer because they had strong armies and the support of the people. Peisistratus is most often considered an extremely good tyrant because he brought peace and prosperity to the city, and that wasn't the only thing he did. He also created new festivals, began new policies meant to help the city, and built many temples and monuments. Eventually, Peisistratus died, so it goes, but soon after his son took over as the next tyrant. Sadly, many aristocrats became sore losers and decided to sabotage Athens. They paid a rival city-state to come and attack Athens, which was a good thing for them , but it was not so good for the tyrant that ruled during that time. Because of all that drama, the tyrants lost their power over Athens and soon the aristocrats were in charge again. This, however, would not last for very long.]]> 2018-11-30 20:32:38 UTC https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309973673 anna_harris https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309983241 And in comes leisthenes. Around 500 BC a new leader named Cleisthenes came to power. ]]> 2018-11-30 21:01:48 UTC https://padlet.com/anna_harris/2jejrl95lm8l/wish/309983241