PPT Slide
EARLY GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS:
Athens moved slowly toward democratic rule - The aristocracy ruled through a council headed by archons - or officials. Only the nobles had a say in the government at this time.
621bc - the archons asked the noble Draco to draw up a code of law. This code required that all laws be equally applied to all classes and provided for very harsh penalties.
594 bc - the leader Solon freed citizens forced into slavery, limited the amount of land one person could own, and ordered food prices lowered. Through these reforms, the “common person” gained more political power.