Athenian Democracy Of Pericles Era

The Athens was just a small city in the Greek Penisular before 6 BC.The then renowned philosophizers from Asia Minor,such as Ionians Thales,Anaximander and Anaximenes left little records about the development of Athens.Chapter one mainly introduces the evolving progress of the democracy in Athens before the reign of Pericles.the reason why Solon started a democratic reform is that he plans to alleviate the contradiction between noble and the common,as well as to solve the economic crisis.Firstly,the loans of the peasantls were abolished,and the peasants could not be traded as a slave.Secondly,the economy of Athens was further developed.Solon made a same standard system for the units of weight and measuring with the neighboring cities.The mass people were categorized accoring to their assets.Political elections were held on the base of social ranking.Through the funding of council with 400 people,and jury system,the civic rights were expanded.The mild Tyrants ruled carried by Peisistratus promoted the progress of democracy.He continued the reform initiated by Solon.As a result,the class contradiction was not as fierce as before,during his governess.A extensive reform was going on during the reign of Cleisthenesis.Tribes were planed according to the geological location.The council was expanded to 500 people.The assets restriction of the city officials was relaxed.The government of ficials were elected in accordance with the newly-founded tribes instead of the kinship tribes through lot.Chapter Two mainly discuss the specific background,reasons and measures of the reform.The background information is firstly introduced.Athens became powerful after the war of the Delian League against Persia.Three major reforms which include:to slash the power of the Council and make the delegation to the people conference,the Council with 500 people and the court,to restrict the civil rights and share the glory and interest from the city,and to stimulate the enthusiasm of the mass to participate in public affairs in the city.Chapter three describes how the government officials were elected,their duties,working scope and working procedures.Chapter four concentrates on the limitations of the democratic system during Pericles Era,and its influence on political life,economy and culture in Athens.