2.6 The Birth of Democracy

<p>Throughout the turbulent era of the Persian wars, Athens built a powerful democratic political system that held the city together and made her unique in the world. Since time immemorial, Greek cities had developed power-sharing institutions, as was evident even in reactionary Sparta: there were two kings, a council of elders, and an assembly of citizens. Most cities in Greece had long ago gotten rid of their kings, but the number of full-fledged citizens typically was small, about three thousand, consisting of wealthy landowners, who also owned horses and hence could serve in the cavalry as knights. But in Athens a series of reforms broadened the base of citizenship to include the middle class.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/the-first-philosophers/2-6-the-birth-of-democracy-7859a7c678df"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>