Solon
Solon, an Athenian statesman, was the first reform leader who established the Citizen's Assembly, forbade enslavement for debts, and made fathers responsible for ensuring their sons learned a trade. This occurred around 594 BC in Athens during a period of social and economic unrest.
Solon
The quote implies that even if every citizen possessed the wisdom and rationality of Socrates, the collective decision-making process in a large group like the Athenian assembly would still be chaotic and disorderly, lacking in the thoughtfulness and logic of an individual like Socrates. It suggests that group dynamics and emotions can easily override reason and intelligence in a crowd setting.
Athenian leaders disliked Socrates because he challenged traditional beliefs, questioned authority, and influenced the youth to think critically. They viewed him as a threat to the established order and accused him of corrupting the youth and promoting impiety.
The wisdom of individuals does not necessarily translate into the wisdom of the group composed of those individuals. That is because groups are still prone to acting on the basis of what we might describe as the lowest common denominator; what they have in common may not be wisdom.
Solon, an Athenian statesman, was the first reform leader who established the Citizen's Assembly, forbade enslavement for debts, and made fathers responsible for ensuring their sons learned a trade. This occurred around 594 BC in Athens during a period of social and economic unrest.
Solon
Solon was the first Athenian reform leader who established the Citizen's Assembly and implemented laws forbidding enslavement for debts and ensuring that fathers taught their sons a trade. His reforms were aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities in ancient Athens.
Solon
Pericles.
citizens
The first Athenian democracy was instituted by Cleisthenes around 508-507 BCE. He established the Council of Five Hundred, known as the Boule, which played a crucial role in the governance of Athens. This council was responsible for preparing the agenda for the Assembly and ensuring broader participation in political life among Athenian citizens. Cleisthenes' reforms laid the foundation for the democratic system that would evolve in Athens.
Themistocles.
0Carried out laws
monarchy
After the Tyrants were thrown out in Athens, the oligarchs tried to reasssume power, but in 507 BCE Cleisthenes established a government with an assembly of all landowners, great and small.
The Athenian Assembly, or Ecclesia, was open to male citizens of Athens who were over the age of 18. This included freeborn Athenian men, while women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from participation. Citizens could attend and vote on important issues such as laws, military decisions, and public policy, making the Assembly a central component of Athenian democracy.