Athenian democracy refers to the system of democratic government used in Athens, Greece from the 5th to 4th century BCE. Under this system, all male citizens - the dēmos - had equal political rights, freedom of speech, and the opportunity to participate directly in the political arena.
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Definition
Timeline
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594 BCE - 593 BCEIn Athens the archon Solon lays the foundations for democracy.
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c. 508 BCEAccording to Aristotle, the institution of ostracism is introduced in Athens under Cleisthenes.
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c. 508 BCEReforms by Cleisthenes establishes democracy in Athens.
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c. 487 BCEThe first ostracism vote takes place in Athens and Hipparchus is exiled.
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482 BCEAristides is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
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c. 471 BCEThe general and statesman Themistocles is voted in an ostracism and exiled from Athens.
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463 BCEPericles leads a prosecution of Cimon on charges of corruption but he is acquitted.
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462 BCE - 461 BCERadicalisation of democracy in Athens; Cimon exiled, Pericles comes to exercise influence.
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c. 462 BCE - 458 BCEPericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
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461 BCECimon is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
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c. 460 BCE - c. 320 CEPeriod of full and direct citizen democracy in Athens.
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c. 417 BCEIn the last recorded ostracism the demagogue Hyperbolos is exiled from Athens.
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411 BCEThe oligarchy of the 400 take over the democracy in Athens and in a matter of months is replaced by an oligarchy of 5000.
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406 BCEThe Athenian demos decides to execute six generals even after they have won the battle of Arginousai.
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403 BCERestoration of the democracy in Athens, death of the tyrant Critias.
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399 BCEThe Athenian demos pass the death sentence on Socrates.
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355 BCEDemosthenes begins to deliver speeches in the Athenian assembly.
