Starting with monarch, the aristocrats took over and formed an oligarchy (rule of the few). Their oppressive, self-interested rule led to impending civil war and Solon was appointed for a year with dictatorial power to find a middle ground.
This did not last long, so a tyrant Pisistratus was appointed to re-establish a balanced government. After 40 years, a new generation forgot how bad things had been previously and expelled the tyrants.
The Oligarchs tried to grab power back, but Cleisthenes established a limited democracy including small landowners. This lasted 20 years until the Persian invasion forced the return of power to the oligarchs to run the war effort. They hung on to power after the invasion was turned back.
Twenty years later Ephialtes restored democracy, removing the oligarchs from power. They assassinated him for that but his deputy Pericles kept it going and developed it into a radical democracy where the citizens met in fortnightly assembly and made decisions which were implemented by the Council.
By giving the poor more political powers which was reformed by Solon and Cleisthenes in order for equal power between the rich and the poor.
By giving the poor more political powers which was reformed by Solon and Cleisthenes in order for equal power between the rich and the poor.
Its government was a early form of democracy and it was goverened by tyrants {p.s. Athens is in Greece not Rome}
ancient greece
Athens
true
Athens
The Athenian democratic system is still admired because it was a unique form of government. Athens used a direct democracy and instead of voting for officials to vote for the people, the Athenian people voted on bills and legislation themselves.
The home of the famous philosopher, Socrates, and also the birthplace of democracy was ancient Athens. Located in the southeastern portion of mainland Greece in the eastern portion of the Mediterranean Basin, Athens enjoyed a Golden (or, Classical) period in which both Socrates and democracy were born. On both counts, civilization has been profoundly influenced -- and is likely to continue to be influenced.
Pericles, after getting his conservative opponent Thucydides son of Melesias expelled in 444 BCE, manipulated affairs as 'First Citizen' to bring prosperity and power to Athens. Unfortunately his ego led him to lead Athens into a destructive war with the Peloponnesian League 13 years later, which Athens lost. During the war, the democracy was led by populists after Pericles' early death, and the democracy was replaced to bring government of the city under control.
Early on, a king. Then the rich (aristocrats). Then a tyrant. Then oligarchs. Then the people themseles (democracy).
The Republic is a form of government in which the power resides in the people. The Republic likely formed in early Rome prior to the dynasties of emperors. Republics were not equated with classic forms of government, such as those in Athens, but are key to the aspect of democracy.
Although there are likely many answers or opinions to this, Athens is best known for its concept of exercising democracy, as it is one of the earliest initiators of this form of government on record. It would stand to reason, based on the early concept of a Democratic form of government, Athenians would have valued the law.