How did Cleisthenes restrict democracy?

Answer 1

Cleisthenes promoted democracy. After helping to oust the tyrant Hippias, he brought in laws in 508 BCE restricting the power of the aristocratic Council of the Aeropaus and established a limited democracy based on the small-farmers. This was the first step to wider democracy established by Ephialtes half a century later in 462 BCE, and radicalised by Pericles fifteen years after that to allow the franchise to all male adult citizens.

Cleisthenes' limited democracy was a practical compromise to get his measures through against the influential aristocratic minority and avoid civil war. In fact his reforms went into abeyance during the Persian invasion of 480-479 BCE and afterwards, when the aristocratic party regained influence for organising a successful defence and establishing Athens as a successful power leading the ongoing resistance of the Delian League to Persia. It was the defeat of Persia in 466 at Eurymedon which ended that real threat, and allowed Ephialtes the opportunity to reassert and strengthen people-power (democracy - demos = the people, kratein = to have power). He was murdered for this, and Pericles replaced him in furthering and entrenching the development of democracy.

Answer 2

For those city-states that were either monarchical or autocratic (like Sparta, Mycenae, etc.), there was no democracy which to limit.

For city-states, like Athens, that were democracies at some points in their history, democracy was limited in several ways. The first were limits on suffrage. Only ethnic Athenian males who owned property were allowed to vote. This was less than 10% of the population of Athens. There were also limits on who could be the leaders of the state, restricting that to several noble families.

Answer 3

For those city-states that were either monarchical or autocratic (like Sparta, Mycenae, etc.), there was no democracy which to limit.

For city-states, like Athens, that were democracies at some points in their history, democracy was limited in several ways. The first were limits on suffrage. Only ethnic Athenian males who owned property were allowed to vote. This was less than 10% of the population of Athens. There were also limits on who could be the leaders of the state, restricting that to several noble families.

Answer 4

For those city-states that were either monarchical or autocratic (like Sparta, Mycenae, etc.), there was no democracy which to limit.

For city-states, like Athens, that were democracies at some points in their history, democracy was limited in several ways. The first were limits on suffrage. Only ethnic Athenian males who owned property were allowed to vote. This was less than 10% of the population of Athens. There were also limits on who could be the leaders of the state, restricting that to several noble families.