Ancient Greek Athens Is a majestic and revered city. It had a huge number of inhabitants. The area was remarkable for its beautiful architecture. Athens is also the center of the arts and culture of the Greeks. The main city of Attica is not located on the seashore, as was customary since ancient times, but a few kilometers from the water area. The settlement is based around a large hill, on top of which, in a picturesque area, stood a fortress of unprecedented beauty - the Acropolis.

The foundation of the basics

Legend has it that the city was named after the warlike maiden Athena. She was the goddess of wisdom, patronized arts and crafts, all kinds of sciences, but at the same time was a great adherent of battles and battles.
The city was born so long ago that history hides the true date from contemporaries. There is evidence that Athens existed even during the Mycenaean era and even long before it. Athens was praised in his teachings by Plato and his associates.
Athens, like other cities in Greece, was a polis. This city-state reached its heyday in the 9th century BC. During this period, Athens was no longer ruled by kings, but by tyrants. But the residents did not see anything wrong with the definition of this name. Translated from the Greek "Tyranos" - the ruler. However, at first everything was perfect, but over the years, the rulers began to take the most valuable things from people. The population was periodically plundered. Since then, the word "tyrant" has become almost a dirty word. It meant a cruel ruler.
The inhabitants tolerated tyrants, since they enjoyed the patronage of the nobility and the high council of elders (Areopagus).
First population
It is believed that at first some Pelasgians inhabited Athens, and according to mythology, Cecrop became the first king. This time is dated 2-3 millennia BC. Later, the Ionians arrived in Athens. By the way, according to the legend, the majestic Athena presented the inhabitants of the city with an olive tree much later than the moment when the polis began to flourish. So she won honor and recognition. After all, the olive tree is a symbol of wealth, life. The goddess bypassed the rivalry of Poseidon, who wanted to give the inhabitants of Athens water in order to win their honor and respect and become a recognized ruler. Oliva meant more.
Mines flourished in the city, where slaves mined silver, tin and a number of other minerals. Iron deposits were also found not far from the city. Without thinking twice, the Athenians set up enterprises for the extraction of useful metal.
Athens was famous for its ceramic dishes, olive oil, various types of honey, wines. In Athens, marble was mined and processed. All this contributed to the tremendous flourishing of trade and crafts. Athens flourished and was gaining bonuses economically. Whole families aspired here, founding and building their houses. So the city grew more and more.

The reign of Drakont is remarkable. On his behalf, the concept of "Draconian laws" came to modern times. This cruel ruler established a very dangerous order. According to them, the inhabitants were punished with the death penalty even for the most insignificant offenses. For example, they could have taken their lives for stealing an onion.
In ancient times, property inequality reigned in Athens. But in the 6th century BC. this was ended. It is all the fault of the growing clashes between the nobility and ordinary poor people. The bloody unrest was suppressed by the election of the archon, who eventually, thanks to his ingenuity, brought general order. Solon abolished the draconian order and began to build a wonderful society, carrying out reforms in the main areas of the life of the Athenians.

Estates of Athens

According to historians, Solon developed a number of laws according to which residents received freedom in terms of inheritance of property. The privileges were enjoyed by ordinary hard workers - artisans and merchants. Citizens were divided into 4 estates, which depended on their financial situation. All people, regardless of their position in society, received equal rights. Any, even not very important, policy issues were decided by the opinion of the majority and only after general discussions.
Solon always defended only the upper stratum - the aristocracy, in whose ranks there were nobility and wealthy peasants. Under him, only the wealthy held public office. However, at the same time, the poor classes could also decide the fate. So, in the 500s BC, some commoners Aristogiton and Harmodius killed the ruling tyrant, who repaired a complete tyranny and did not give a normal life to people.
Despite this, the nobility always found an opportunity to unite and lead people in the way she needed. They manipulated votes at meetings of the people, committed large bribes, and used the services of demagogues (dubious leaders of the people).
The flowering concerned external relations. The port of Piraeus belonged to Athens. It was the center of the Mediterranean trade. The policy began to dominate the Maritime Union, which included at least 200 policies. Athens owned the general treasury, which greatly increased the authority of the Athenians.

Great War

In the 400s. BC. Athens was attacked by the Spartans. This epic is called the Peloponnesian War. It lasted for about 30 years. In the history of Athens and Ancient Greece, these were some of the most significant and bloody battles. As a result, the maritime union of Athens could no longer be called a community, and in the city, as a result of a coup, a group of rulers in the amount of 30 tyrants took power. The People's Assembly has failed.
Athens capitulated to Sparta. The protracted war weakened not only this largest city in Greece, but most of the policies. In the same period, a large external enemy appeared on the arena - Macedonia. The ruler of this country was systematically approaching Athens. As a result, the city-states decided to unite. So the union was created:

• 1. Thebes.
• 2. Magar.
• 3. Corinth.
• 4. Athens.

The battle of the Greek coalition was defeated. After all, the Athenian nobility, in the majority, was currying before Macedonia. Thus began the era of Hellenism in Greece. During this period, the Macedonians took over. They gave freedom to the population only formally. However, the Athenians survived thanks to their ancient history. For example, the Roman Lucius pardoned Athens just because it has such a rich history. The inhabitants were granted freedom.

Decline

Athens began to fade away gradually by the 3rd century BC. The Peloponnesian War completely ravaged Greece. Scientists argue that the end was the collapse of Hellenism. On the one hand, internecine wars, on the other, the advancing Romans. Already at the beginning of our era, the city was not only captured, but disastrously plundered by the soldiers of Silla. This Roman brought a huge army to Athens, and there was not a single chance left for the victory of the inhabitants of the besieged polis.

Roman rule lasted until the 3rd century. At the same time, Athens did not lose its high position in Greece until the German Herul warriors came and destroyed everything almost to the ground. Only cultural values, some institutions, such as schools, have survived. By the way, this time gave the world the famous Roman emperor Julian, who was just studying in one of the Athenian schools. However, he also closed these educational institutions.
The center of Hellenism "went" to Macedonia, Athens quickly fell into decay. Negoda rich city became more like a periphery, a small village. Population in the 500s new era was only 20 thousand people.
The further history of Athens is far from rosy, but rather sad. The city was besieged and plundered many times. The Acropolis, which was an unrivaled palace, has lost its grandeur. In the middle of the 15th century, the Turks entered Athens. And they, in turn, had to defend the city from the raid of the Venetians. During that period, a significant architectural monument, the Parthenon, was badly damaged. He practically fell under the shelling of Venetian guns.
Revival of the capital
Athens became the capital of the state in the early 19th century. Then the city looked more like a provincial village, but free from the Ottoman yoke. King Otto, who ruled in those years, ordered the revival of the once beautiful city. Intensive construction began. It was based on the project of the architect Leo von Klenze.
Even more quarters appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. Refugees from the territories of Asia Minor came to the city. World War II brought new troubles to Athens. The city was occupied by the Nazis. But with the victory over the fascists, prosperity and a new rebirth came to Athens.
Now Athens is the largest metropolis in Greece - the capital of the Olympic Games. They are held here again from the end of the 19th century. The millennial glory of this city is not forgotten even now. Even in the 20th century, the city was still shaken by political upheavals, but cultural activity did not stop. In 1981, Greece joined the European Union, which gave the country and, of course, its capital, huge privileges in terms of investment.
So, Athens to this day remains the cherished dream of those tourists who have not yet had a chance to visit the capital of Greece. Majestic architecture, cultures, traditions, wonderful history. All this is preserved in numerous museums of antiquity.

Greek traditions, Greek tea

In Greece, there is no such thing as "tea drinking". Even the word tea itself in Greek is pronounced as "tsai", which indicates its borrowing. How can this be, you ask? After all, tea, like coffee, has long been known throughout Europe. But Greece is not "everything." There are completely no traditions of gatherings with only drinks without piling up a large number of main dishes and snacks, as well as almost nothing is known about "green coffee".

Alcoholic drinks in Greece

Traditional alcoholic drinks are an indicator by which it is easy to determine the temperament of a nation, its attitude towards alcohol and everything connected with it. In Greece, strong drinks are an integral part of any feast: both the noisy fun of a large company and an intimate romantic dinner.

History of the city of Syracuse

Syracuse is the largest city in the Sicily region. Now it belongs to Italy, but in Antiquity Syracuse was the possession of Greece. Syracuse became a Greek colony on the island of Ortigia. This polis was founded in the first millennium BC. There is a fresh water source on the island to this day. Syracuse arose around him.

Easter on Athos

The celebration of Easter on the sacred Mount Athos is a grandiose event. The whole week is marked by religious processions, traditional Christian celebrations and religious manifestations of true adherents of the faith. At the head of all celebrations is the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. This holiday strongly resembles the Byzantine feasts.

Ancient Greek city of Thebes

This city was founded in the territory of central Greece. Thebes was located on a hill, and beneath it was a vast fertile plain. Polis was founded by the Phoenicians, who came to these lands more than 3 thousand years ago. Thebes were originally called Cadmium. They were a very powerful city-state in ancient Greece.

Natural conditions of Attica. Attica is a region located in the east of Central Greece. It is a small peninsula washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Its shores are indented with many bays, very convenient for navigation. Most of Attica is occupied by low mountains. The soils are stony and there are very few land suitable for sowing. There are no full-flowing rivers, only streams and small rivers that dry up in summer. In dry years, the crops of farmers often suffered from a lack of moisture.

The mountains of Attica are rich in minerals. Iron, lead and excellent marble have been mined here since ancient times. The peninsula was also home to the richest deposits of silver in Greece, as well as large reserves of clay used in pottery. In the center of the peninsula, among a wide plain, is the main city of Attica - Athens. He gave the name to the state formed here.

Figure: Ancient Athens

• Using the map and text, tell us about the geographical location and natural conditions of Attica.

This is what the legend said about the origin of the name of Athens. Once the goddess Athena and the god Poseidon argued which of them should be the patron saint of the greatest city in Greece. To resolve their dispute, they agreed that the patron would be the one who would give the residents the best gift. He will also give the city his name. Poseidon struck with a trident on the rock of the Acropolis, and water flowed from that place. The people were delighted, but this water turned out to be salty, like the sea. Then Athena stuck her spear into the ground, and it turned into an olive tree. People tried its fruits and decided that this gift is priceless. The city was named after Athena, who became its patroness.

Figure: Sacrifice in honor of the gods. Ancient greek drawing

The main occupations of the population. Agriculture was one of the most important occupations of the inhabitants of Attica. In river valleys and on plateaus, they cultivated barley, wheat, beans, on the slopes of the mountains - grapes and olive trees.

The grapes were mainly used to make homemade wine. Olive oil was used for food and for lighting homes. It was also used instead of soap, which was not then known. The oil has been used in many medicines. The Greeks used it to anoint the body before exercise. Along with bread and fish, olives were the main food of people. They were eaten dried, salted and soaked in vinegar. On the slopes of the wooded mountains, herds of cows, sheep, goats grazed. Cheese was obtained from their milk, which was also one of the most important food products of local residents.

• List the main occupations of the inhabitants of Attica.

Little was grown in Attica, and there was always a shortage of it. Grain had to be bought from neighbors or imported from overseas. There he was exchanged for wine, olive oil, handicrafts. The products of the Athenian potters were most appreciated. The painted vases, plates, cups, amphorae that came out from under their hands were eagerly sold out everywhere. Wine made in Attica was also appreciated. The Greeks drank wine to quench their thirst, diluting it by two-thirds with spring water. The need to import grain to Attica contributed to the fact that its inhabitants from ancient times were engaged in trade and navigation. They were also engaged in fishing, which was greatly facilitated by the presence of convenient bays, with which the shores of Attica abound. This circumstance also made it easier for them to engage in navigation.

State structure of Ancient Athens. As in other poleis, the National Assembly was the highest authority in Athens. But over time, it began to lose its meaning. The highest power was in the hands of a special council, which included only aristocrats. Usually he gathered on a hill dedicated to the god of war Ares, hence its name - Areopagus. This council passed laws, dealt with the disputes of the Athenians, tried them. Areopagus elected the highest officials of the state. In Athens, they were called archons. Among them were the high priest, the judges, the commander of the Athenian army.

Figure: Amphora from Attica

They lived in Athens according to the laws that at the end of the 7th century BC. e. were installed by Archon Drakont. These laws provided for severe punishments for all, even the most insignificant, crimes. Most often - the death penalty. She even relied on stealing vegetables from the garden. The Athenians said about the draconian laws that they were written not in ink, but in blood.

The Situation of the Athenian Farmers. The most fertile lands in Attica were eventually taken over by the nobility. The aristocrats owned vast fields, vineyards, olive groves. The donations of ordinary people were small. Their harvest was barely enough to make ends meet. When the crops of the farmers suffered from drought, many of them borrowed grain from wealthy neighbors. For each bag taken, much more had to be returned in a year. The owner of the grain put a stone of debt on the debtor's land. It was engraved on it how much and when to return. If the farmer could not pay off on time, his land was taken away from the debt. True, he could continue to work on it, but now he had to give the new owner a significant part of the harvest. I had to get into new debts. If the farmer again could not pay them off, he sold his family or himself into slavery. The owner could sell the slave or make him work on his farm. Unlike Sparta, there were much fewer slaves here, and they were highly valued. In addition, the laws of Athens forbade them to be killed.

Figure: Ancient greek bronze mirror

Over time, more and more Athenian citizens lost both land and freedom. But they had no one to complain to. Drakont's laws protected mainly the interests of wealthy people. In addition, the judges who dealt with disputes were elected from among the aristocrats. The common people, who in Athens were called demos, were dissatisfied with their powerless position.

• Do you think a citizen of Sparta could be sold into slavery for debts? Justify your answer.

Let's sum up

Initially, the supreme power in the Athenian state belonged to the People's Assembly. But over time, aristocrats began to lead the state.

Amphora - a ceramic vessel for storing oil and wine.

End of the 7th century BC e. Introduction to Athens of Drakont's laws.

Questions and tasks

1. Compare the natural conditions of Attica and Laconian. How did they affect the occupations of the inhabitants of these areas?
2. Tell us how the Athenian state was governed.
3. Why did the Athenian farmers lose land and become slaves?
4. Compare the state structure and the situation of different segments of the population in Sparta and Athens. What do they have in common, what are the differences?

The city of Ancient Greece with the famous Acropolis, Athens, became a symbol of ancient civilization and took center stage in the life of the Greeks. The construction of Athens began in the Mycenaean era with the construction of the Peloponnesian palaces. The city grew and over time began to embody all the Greek virtues and enjoy undoubted authority, so that even after the defeat in the Pelonnes war, the Spartans refused to destroy the city and enslave the citizens.

History of the Athenian Empire

Evidence of the existence of a historic settlement in the Acropolis has been found near Agora. There is an assumption that it was inhabited as early as 5000, and possibly 7000 BC. According to legend, the Athenian king Cecrops named the city after himself, but from Olympus it was clear that this city was so beautiful that it earned an immortal name.

Poseidon hit the rock with his trident, from where water gushed out, and he assured the people that now they will never suffer from drought.

Athena was the last, she sowed a seed into the ground, from which an olive tree quickly grew. The ancient Greeks believed that the olive tree was more valuable than water, as it was salty from the kingdom of Poseidon. And Athena was chosen as the patroness of the city, and it was named after her.

Agriculture and trade, mainly by sea, became the main means of subsistence for the city of Ancient Greece. During the Mycenaean era (about 1550-1100 BC), massive construction of massive fortresses began throughout Greece, and Athens was no exception. The ruins of the Mycenaean court can still be seen today in the Acropolis.

Homer in the Iliad and Odyssey portrays the Mycenaeans as great warriors and sailors who trade in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. In 1200 BC. the peoples of the sea invaded the Greek archipelago of the Aegean from the south, while the Dorians simultaneously came from the north of mainland Greece. When the Mycenaeans invaded Attica (the area surrounding Athens), the Dorians withdrew from the city, leaving the city of Ancient Greece intact. Although, as in other parts of ancient civilization, there was an economic and cultural decline after the invasions. The Athenians then began to claim a special status in the Ionian Sea.

The rise of democracy in ancient Greece

Wealthy aristocrats took control of the land, over time, poorer landowners were enslaved by wealthy citizens. The reason for this was the different understanding of the laws of the city of Ancient Greece. One piece of legislation, represented by the writings of the statesman Draco, was considered too complex to enforce, as most violations were followed by the death penalty.

The great legislator Solon called for revising and changing them. Solon, although he himself belonged to aristocratic circles, issued a series of laws that gave citizens the right to vote in solving political issues. In doing so, he laid the foundation for democracy in Athens in 594 BC.

After Solon retired from public affairs, various factional leaders began to share power. Ultimately, Pisistratus won, recognizing the value of Solon's laws and calling for them to be implemented unchanged. His son, Hypipius, continued his political path until his younger brother, Hipparkos, was assassinated in 514 BC. by order of Sparta. After a coup d'état in ancient Greece and the settlement of issues with the Spartans, Cleisthenes was appointed to reform the government and the legislative framework. In 507 BC. he introduced a new form of government that is now recognized as a democratic regime.

According to the historian Waterfield:

“The pride that the citizens of Athens could henceforth participate in public life gave a huge impetus to their development of the city”.

The new form of government provided the stability necessary for Athens to flourish as the cultural and intellectual center of the ancient world. ”

Age of Pericles in Athens

Under Pericles, Athens entered a golden age that was marked by a cultural upsurge, accompanying the emergence of great thinkers, writers and artists.

After the Athenians defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, and freed themselves from the second Persian invasion of Salamis in 480 BC, Athens became the center of the naval power of ancient Greece. ... The Delian Alliance was formed to create a cohesive defense of the city-states of ancient civilization to prevent attacks from the Persians. Under the leadership of Pericles, Athens earned such authority that it could make its own laws, introduce customs and trade with its neighbors in Attica and the Aegean islands.

The period of Pericles' reign went down in the history of ancient Greece as the golden age of philosophy, artistic and literary art, the heyday of Athens. Herodotus, "The father of history", wrote his immortal works in Athens. Socrates, "Father of philosophy", taught in Athens. Hippocrates, "The father of medicine", was practiced in the capital of an ancient civilization. Sculptor Phidias created his best works for the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus and Olympia. Democritus conducted research and found out that the universe consists of atoms. Aeschylus Euripylus, Aristophanes and Sophocles wrote their famous plays. Plato created an academy of sciences near Athens in 385 BC, then Aristotle founded the Lyceum in the city center.

Battle battles of Athens

The power of the Athenian Empire posed a threat to neighboring states. After Athens sent troops to the aid of the Spartan troops to suppress the rebellion of Helot, Sparta invited the ancient Greeks to leave the battlefield and return home. The incident sparked a war that had been brewing for a long time.

Later, when the city of Ancient Greece sent its fleet to defend the ally Sosug (Confu) against the Corinthian invasion during the Battle of Sibot in 433 BC, this was interpreted by Sparta as aggression rather than aid, since Corinth was an ally of Sparta ...

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) between Athens and Sparta, in which all the cities of Ancient Greece were involved in one way or another, ended in defeat for Athens.

All cultural monuments were destroyed. In the city, which has a reputation as an educational center and culture of the entire civilization, such a phenomenon as the enslavement of the population arose. Athens struggled to assert its position as an independent state until it was finally defeated in 338 BC. troops of Macedonia under the leadership of Philip II in Chaeronea.

After the defeat at the Battle of Sinosefala in 197 BC. The Roman Empire began the gradual conquest of Ancient Greece. Legend has it that the Roman general Sulla, who was dismissed from a high position in Athens in 87 BC, was the organizer of the massacre of the city's citizens and the burning of the port of Ripey.

In the modern world, Athens preserves the heritage of the art of the classical era, poetic and artistic achievements. While the Parthenon in the Acropolis continues to symbolize the golden age and heyday of Ancient Greece.

Video Athenian Acropolis of Ancient Greece

Athens is a Greek city with a long and rich history. He is mentioned in a number of famous ancient Greek myths. Ancient Athens is the first state in which the kings ...

From Masterweb

The history of Ancient Greece is divided into several main periods according to the main center of cultural development. Athens is associated primarily with the classical cultural era. However, the mention of this city is also found in connection with the civilization that developed much earlier on the island of Crete. This is the famous myth of the Minotaur, in which the opposing sides were the king of the island of Crete Minos and the son of the king of Athens Aegeus Theseus. There is a connection with Athens and in the legend of Daedalus and Icarus. Therefore, it will be interesting to trace the history of the development of Athenian culture both from the point of view of mythology and from the point of view of historical facts.

Who should own?

And we will begin, or rather have already begun, with mythology, as the most important aspect in the spiritual life of the Greeks.

The legends do not say exactly when Athens originated. However, there is a vivid story about the first ruler of the city in myths. And this is a belief about the dispute between Athena and Poseidon. Briefly about what was the matter and how it all ended. They argued, of course, for power over the rich port city. The winner should have been the one who would make the gift to its residents more expensive. Poseidon slammed his trident on the ground, and from there a key gushed. The townspeople were delighted: the fresh water here was very difficult - there was almost no water, there was only a salty sea nearby. They rushed to the source and, oh, horror! Disappointment! The water from it was also salty ...

Then Athena began to create and grew an olive tree. And there is no fresh water, no plants. But the olive was very tenacious and suitable for the local natural conditions. The townspeople rejoiced: both food and oil for various needs. Well, greens too. And as a reward for such a priceless gift, the inhabitants of the city of Athena recognized its ruler. And the name was given in her honor. This is how the city began to be called - the city of the goddess Athena, or simply Athens.

Athenians and Cretans

Returning to the story of the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, we come to the most ancient period of Greek civilization, which is also often called Cretan. This is the time of confrontation between Crete and Athens in the person of their rulers Minos and Aegeus. The story of the construction of a labyrinth on the island of Crete for a terrible monster - half-man, half-bull - the son of Minos, who demands human sacrifices to be devoured. These bodies as a tribute to Minos was to be paid by the Athenian king Aegeus. For Aegea himself, the story of liberation from a terrible and shameful tribute ended tragically. Let me remind you that he threw himself off a cliff into the sea, having learned that the sail on the returning ship remained black. This meant that his son Theseus, who was miraculously found, died in the Labyrinth. In honor of the Aegean, the sea was called the Aegean.

Tragic was the fate of the creator of the Labyrinth of Daedalus, a native of Athens, who left his homeland because of the persecution of the accidental death of his talented nephew, in whose murder Daedalus was accused. During his escape from Crete, Minos took him under his wing. During his stay with the king, Daedalus built the famous castle - the Labyrinth. Since Minos did not want to let go of the skilled master, he decided to flee. Flying across the sky on wings made of bird feathers and wax, Daedalus and Icarus never made it to their new home: Icarus, having risen high to the sun, fell and crashed into the water, and the inconsolable Daedalus sank on the nearest island, where he spent the rest of their days. But the memory of him remained to live in the creations he created in his native Athens.

Athens and Troy

The next period of Greek culture, after the death of the Cretan civilization from the flood that occurred due to the earthquake on the neighboring island of Fera, the myths of the ancient Greeks are associated with the period of the Trojan War, in which many policies of Ancient Greece participated against the Asia Minor city, which was then part of the Greek lands, including Athens. In history, this period is called Mycenaean - after the main cultural center of civilization Mycenae.

But back to the myths. The youngest son of the king of Troy Priam Paris, then still a simple shepherd, was chosen by Zeus as a judge in the dispute between the three goddesses for the title of the most beautiful. He gave the famous apple of discord to Aphrodite, thereby angering the most powerful Athena and Hera. And they did not forget the insults, having taken the side of the Achaean army a little later.

Paris, having stolen from Sparta the king Menelaus, his wife - the beautiful Helen, whose love Aphrodite gave him as a reward - took her to his native Troy. Menelaus called for vengeance, and all the greatest men of Hellas, including his friend, the king of Athens Agamemnon, responded to the call.

The army of the Danes, led by Achilles and Agamemnon, laid siege to Troy, and the siege lasted for ten years. During this time, many lost their lives: Achilles' friend Patroclus, Paris's brother Hector, Achilles himself, Laocoon and his sons, and many residents of the later plundered and burned Troy. After some time, death overtook the sister of Paris, the prophetic Cassandra, taken into slavery by Agamemnon. On the way home, Cassandra gave birth to sons of the Athenian king, but upon arriving home in Athens, all of them, together with Anamemnon, were killed by his wife.

The era of classical Greece: the beginning

Now let's talk about the time when the Athenian state began to emerge. This era arose several centuries after the mysterious death of the Mycenaean civilization. During this period, in the central region of ancient Greece, Attica, city-states began to form, with adjacent arable lands, called policies. At different times, the rise of some territories, then others took place. All the policies of Ancient Greece fought for a leading position. Especially Sparta and Athens.

Since the Athenian lands were not rich in water and fertile soils, for the most part, not agriculture and cattle breeding, but crafts developed here. Already in the VIII-VII centuries. BC e. in Athens, a large number of workshops of potters, blacksmiths, shoemakers were opened, who traded their goods in shops. On the outskirts of Athens, viticulture and olive growing, as well as the production of olive oil, developed.

Pre-Democratic Governance of Athens

Until the VII century. BC e. in the city, only nobles were allowed to rule. Power in their hands was held by the Areopagus, who sat on the hill of the god Mars and consisted of nine elected archons. They not only ruled Athens, but also administered a court, mostly unfair, adhering to the interests of the nobility. But the most controversial figure of the archons during the existence of such a form of government was the Dragon, who issued absurd and cruel laws.

Ordinary inhabitants of Ancient Athens lived poorly. They had the smallest, most infertile tracts of land, where almost nothing could be grown. Therefore, in order to pay taxes, they were forced to borrow at interest from the noble and the rich. And since they could not give the so-called payments, they gradually gave into slavery to the one to whom they owed, their children, wives, and even themselves. Such captivity was called debt captivity, and on the plots of the borrowers they set designating stones for evidence.

Against debt slavery, resentment gradually grew among the demos and artisans, which eventually led to an uprising.

Athenian Democracy: The Basics

Let's start with defining the essence of the concept itself: in literal translation, the word "democracy" means "power of the people" (demos - people).

The emergence of a new form of government in Athens took place in the 6th century. BC e. and is associated with the administration of Archon Solon.

After the uprising of the demos, a truce was concluded between him and the nobility and joint elections were held for the Areopagus. Solon, a native of Athens, who was engaged in an honorable business - sea trade, who came from a noble family, but did not have special wealth, who knew work early, honest, just and wise, was jointly elected as the main archon in it. He established new laws in Athens and, above all, abolished debt slavery. This was an important event in the history of Ancient Athens. According to the laws of Solon, even ordinary citizens, but necessarily rich, could now be elected to archons. In addition, to decide the most important matters, they began to convene the National Assembly, which included all the free men of Athens.

An elective court was also established and many of Drakont's laws were repealed. Judges were chosen from among all citizens of Athens outside the class and wealth not younger than 30 years old. The main condition was the absence of bad deeds. At the trial, in addition to the accused and the prosecutor, they began to listen to the witnesses. The decision on guilt or innocence was made by secret ballot with white and black stones.

All debt slaves were set free and answered to those to whom they owed only their property.

The results of Solon's activities

In general, Solon's attempts to establish democracy in the Athenian state were only partially resolved. The main drawback of his activities should be considered the unresolved land issue: fertile lands, in abundance in the hands of the rich and the nobility, were never taken away and distributed evenly among all citizens. This displeased the demos. And the nobility was indignant against the fact that she was deprived of cheap slaves and the right to receive from the debtors the old taxes that were forgiven them.

The flourishing of democracy in Ancient Athens

The beginning of this period is associated with the victory of the Greeks over the Persians and the rule of Pericles. The state structure of Ancient Athens under Pericles was characterized by an updated management system. It was the 5th century BC. The entire demos of Athens took part in the management without a difference, he was distinguished by nobility by origin, was considered rich or poor.

The main governing body was the National Assembly, which could include all male Athenian citizens upon reaching 20 years of age. Gathering 3-4 times a month, the assembly not only disposed of the treasury, resolved issues of war and peace, government, but also elected ten strategists for one year of rule, the first of which was the main one. For a long time Pericles held this position in his hands at the expense of universal respect.

An advisory body, the Council of Five Hundred, also participated in the management of the Athenian state. But even if he was against the proposed proposal, he was still put to a vote in the People's Assembly.

Thanks to the activities of Pericles, paid officials were introduced in Athens. This was necessary so that not only the rich took part in government, but also the poor farmers.

In addition, during the reign of Pericles, the city actively developed and flourished, and the culture of Ancient Athens reached an incredibly high level. His power lasted fifteen years.

Athens under Pericles

The description of Ancient Athens should start from the very heart of the city - the Acropolis - a hill on which, thanks to Pericles and Phidias, the greatest architectural and sculptural monuments of Greek culture were erected: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Niki Apteros, the Propylaea, the theater of Dionysus, the Pinakothek, a unique statue of the goddess Athena was installed ...

The center of the city was the main square of Ancient Athens - Agora. Here was the main city market, temples to the gods, porticoes for conversations and meetings, a building for meetings of the Council of Five Hundred and a Round Building, in which its representatives carried around the clock patrol in times of danger.

An interesting place of the "poor" Athens was the area of \u200b\u200bpotters-artisans Ceramics, where the amazing ancient Greek art - vase painting was born.

On the outskirts of Athens, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the main Athenian port of Piraeus is located, consisting of one commercial and two military harbors, a shipyard and a market. The Long Walls protected the road from Piraeus to Athens.

Under Pericles, Ancient Athens turned into the largest craft, cultural and commercial center.

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Ancient Athens post will briefly tell you about this city-state of Ancient Greece. You will learn about how the inhabitants of Ancient Athens lived, and what was the basis of their state.

"Ancient Athens" report

Formation of the Athenian state in brief

Where was Ancient Athens? The location of the ancient Greek city-state of Athens - Attica. According to archaeological finds, this region belongs to the southern and eastern parts of Central Greece. Athens was located on the hills of Pnyx, Acropolis, Areopagus, Nympheion and Museion. Each hill had its own function. On the hill of Areopagus was the meeting room of the Supreme Judicial Council. The rulers of the city lived in the Acropolis. On the rocky, low hill of Pnyx, popular meetings were held, speakers were listened to and important decisions were made. Festivals and cultural events were held in the hills of Museion and Nympheion. Streets and roads of the city diverged from the hills, which consisted of inner and outer quarters, temples, public buildings. In the vicinity of the Acropolis, the first settlement emerged around 4500 BC.

Legend of the creation of the city of Athens

The city was named after the goddess Athena - the goddess of wisdom and war, the patroness of arts, knowledge, crafts and science. A long time ago, Athena argued with the god of the seas Poseidon, which of them should be the patron saint of the new city. Poseidon took the trident and hit the rock. A pure spring came out of it. The god of the seas said that he would give the inhabitants water, and they would never suffer from drought. But the water in the springs was sea, salty. Athena planted a seed in the ground. An olive tree grew out of it. The inhabitants of the city gladly accepted her gift, as the olive gave them oil, food and wood. This is how the city got its name.

Power in Ancient Athens

Foreign and domestic policy issues were resolved at a national assembly. All citizens of the policy took part in it, regardless of their position. They were convened at least 40 times a year. At the meetings, reports were heard, the construction of public buildings and the fleet, appropriations for military needs, food supplies, questions about relations with other states and allies were discussed. The ecclesias were engaged in solving particular issues on the basis of existing laws. All bills were discussed very carefully and in the form of a trial. The National Assembly made the final decision.

Also, at popular assemblies, elections of persons to government and military positions took place. They were elected by an open vote. The rest of the posts were chosen by lot.

International assemblies were dealt with by the Council of Five Hundred, which was annually replenished with new citizens who had reached the age of 30. The council took care of the current details and prepared a draft decision for the people's assembly.

Another authority in Ancient Athens is the helium jury. All citizens of the city took part in the court. 5000 judges and 1000 substitutes were selected by lot. The lawyers did not take part in the court hearings. Each accused defended himself. To compose the text of the speech, logographers were involved - people who are skilled in laws and rhetoric. Performances were limited to strict regulations, which were determined by the water clock. The court dealt with the litigation of citizens and migrants, the cases of residents from the union states, political issues. The decision was taken by voting (secret). It was not subject to appeal and was final. The judges taking office took an oath to conduct business in accordance with the laws and fairly.

Strategists acted alongside the Council of Five Hundred. Their competence was the command of the fleet and the army, they followed them in peacetime, were in charge of spending military funds. Strategists conducted diplomatic negotiations and were in charge of foreign policy issues.

In the V century. BC. introduced the office of archons. They did not play a large role, but nevertheless the archons were engaged in the preparation of court cases, controlled the sacred lands, took care of the orphan property, appointed khoregs, led competitions, religious processions, sacrifices. They were elected for a year, after which they were transferred to the Areopagus, where they were waiting for life membership.

With the development of Athens, the administrative apparatus increased. Elective offices were also introduced in state subdivisions - demach, filach, phratries. Every citizen was drawn into the social and political life of the city. This is how democracy gradually developed in Ancient Athens. It reached its highest point during the reign of Pericles. He organized the entirety of the legislative supreme power into an ecclesia - a national assembly. It was collected every 10 days. The rest of the state bodies were subordinate to the people's assembly.

Education in Ancient Athens

Life in Ancient Athens was subject to more than politics. Citizens devoted an important role to education, which was based on public education and democratic principles. Parents had to provide a comprehensive education for young men. If they did not, then they were severely punished.

The educational system is aimed at the accumulation of great scientific information, the constant development of physical natural data. Young people must set high goals for themselves, both intellectual and physical. Schools in Ancient Athens taught 3 subjects - grammar, music and gymnastics. Why was special attention paid to the education of young men? The fact is that the state, thus, raised healthy offspring, brave and strong warriors.

We hope that the report "Ancient Athens" helped you to find out a lot of useful information about this state. And you can add a story about Ancient Athens through the comment form below.