Athenian democracy
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Athenian democracy developed around the 6th century BC in the Greek city-state of Athens, comprising the city of Athens and the surrounding territory of Attica, and focusing on supporting liberty, equ
Relief, about 336 BC, depicting personified Demos being crowned by Democracy. Ancient Agora Museum.
Cleisthenes
Constitution of Athens, by Aristotle, detailing constitution of classical Athens
Bust of Pericles: marble Roman copy after a Greek original of ca. 430 BCE
Solon
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Solon was an archaic Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet. He was one of the Seven Sages of Greece and is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy. Solon's
Athenian democracy
…citizens (i.e., not minors, metics, women or slaves). Adult male citizens probably constituted no more than 30 percent of the total adult population. Solon (in 594 BC), Cleisthenes (in 508–07 BC), and Ephialtes (in 462 BC) contributed to the development of Athenian democracy. Cleisthenes broke up the…
Bust of Solon, copy from a Greek original (c. 110 BC) from the Farnese Collection, now at the National Archaeological Museum, Naples
Bust of Solon in Vatican Museums
"Solon demands to pledge respect for his laws", book illustration (Augsburg 1832)
Croesus awaits fiery execution (Attic red-figure amphora, 500–490 BC, Louvre G 197)