3.3 Greek democracy

• History
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

2. The Greeks

3.3  Politics in Athens 

Planning

- Discuss homework + sources worksheet

- Discuss lesson goals and planning week 3

- Discuss ch. 2.2 - Politics in Athens

- Homework for next class

What you will learn in 

this lesson

1. You can give a description of four different ways in which Greek-city states were governed. 
2. You can explain roughly how Athenian democracy worked and what was different to democracy in the Netherlands now.
3. You can describe how democracy came to an end in Athens and other Greek city-states.

Various types of state 

The English word politics comes from the word 'polis'. 

Four forms of government 

1. Monarchy (King)
2. Aristocracy (Rich men) 
3. Tyranny (Tyrant) 
4. Democracy (The people had the power)

Athenian democracy 

Assembly took decisions about important things like war and peace.

Ostracism

In Athenian politics, it was important to be good at debating. If you were, you were likely to get people to vote your way. The Athenians did not want any one person to 

have too much political influence. It would stop things being democratic. Their way of stopping this was simple. 

Each year, there was a chance to vote to ostracise.

If over 6000 votes were cast, the person whose name was on most ostraka had to leave.

Source A

Ostraca used to vote in an ostracism in Athens in about 450 BC. You can still read the name Themistocles.

The Dutch parliament at work. 

What do you know about the Dutch parliament?

Are there differences between Dutch and Ancient Greek democracy? If so, what are these differences?

Differences in democracy

150 elected politicians (NL)

Farmers and merchants took part in government (Gr)

People over 18 can vote on members of parliament. (NL)

Citizens take part in decisions in the assembly (Gr)

New government each month (Gr)

New government each four years (NL)

Women were not allowed to take part in politics (Gr)

In the Netherlands women are allowed to take part in politics (NL)

Assignment

We'll watch a TedEx talk by Robert Garland

Goal: To illustrate what a day out of life of a wealthy Athenian looked like. 

Talk is about ''A day in the life of an Ancient Athenian''.

Assignment

- Write down three things you see and hear that have got to do with politics in Ancient Greece.

- Does this clip clearly illustrate what life as an Athenian looks like? Or are there parts missing here according to you?

- Would you want switch places with Archias for one day/week/month/year? Why/Why not?

Homework

Read the pages of Ch. 2.2

Complete ex. 3 to 9 + 11 & 12