Ancient Greek History: From Mycenae to Athenian Democracy

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 in History

Periods of Greek History

Mycenaean Civilization (18th-12th century BC): Depicted in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
Archaic Period: Political evolution began, leading to the development of the Polis.

The Polis was an independent and sovereign city-state, typically formed by:

Acropolis (Upper Town): The seat of government and temples.
Asty (Lower Town): The residential area and center of political and economic life.

During the 8th and 7th centuries BC, various Polis began colonizing new territories.

Monarchy: Legitimate rule by a single king with absolute power.
Oligarchy: Rule by a small group of aristocrats managing the city’s affairs.
Tyranny: Rule by an individual who seized power, often violently.
Democracy: A complex system where the majority of citizens (the demos) held power and decided on important matters of the Polis.

Sparta: Conquered the Peloponnese, featuring a pyramidal society and state-owned lands.

Oligarchic Government:
Ephors: Five officials overseeing the performance of the kings.
Kings: Two kings, chairing the Gerousia and leading the army.
Gerousia: Council of Elders (28 members) over 60 years old.
Apella: Assembly responsible for choosing the Gerousia and voting on laws (homoioi).

Citizens: Free men born in the territory and registered in an Athenian demos.
Metics: Foreigners engaged in trade.
Slaves: Had no legal personality.

Draco: Codification of the laws (Draconian Code).
Solon: Legislative reforms granting citizenship to all men, limiting aristocratic power, and dividing citizens into census classes based on economic power. The poorest could participate only in the Ekklesia.
Pisistratus: Tyrant who came to power by force, supported by farmers.
Cleisthenes: Democratic reforms dividing the territory into 10 demes, each entitled to participate in the Ekklesia.

Areopagus: Retained limited functions, including surveillance of sacred precincts and jurisdiction over premeditated homicide, arson, and poisoning. Open to all classes, elected by lot from among all tribes.
Boule (Council of 500): The first judiciary, composed of 50 people per tribe, aged 30 or older, elected annually. Functions included drafting decrees for the Assembly’s approval, exercising administrative direction of the city and its defense, controlling administrative officials, managing maritime affairs, handling finance and public works spending, and managing religious cults.
Heliaster (Judges): 6000 annual members, selected from those over 30. Functioned as the administration of justice.
Assembly (Ekklesia): All citizens over 20 years old (though in practice, only a portion of Athenian citizens attended). Functions: Addressed religious affairs, discussed and approved projects from the Boule, appointed and monitored executive judges, handled international relations, and resolved penalties of ostracism and other capital sentences by secret ballot.

The Greek cities under Persian rule were liberated.

Athens became the leader and hegemon of the Polis within the Delian League.

The thetes (rowers) gained importance due to their role in the Hellenic Navy.

Sparta withdrew to the Peloponnese and created its own league, the Peloponnesian League.

Prominent Athenian leaders included Miltiades, Themistocles, and Cimon (son of Miltiades).