Cleisthenes (b. late 570s BCE) was an Athenian statesman who famously reformed the political structure and processes of Athens at the end of the 6th century BCE and, thereby, greatly increased the influence of ordinary citizens on everyday politics. Accordingly, he is credited with creating a celebrated system of democracy, which, over the following decades, would become ever more direct so that all citizens could actively and directly participate in government.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 570 BCEAthenian statesman Cleisthenes is born.
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525 BCECleisthenes is made archon at Athens.
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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. 462 BCE - 458 BCEPericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
