Module 8: Ancient Greece-Lesson 2: The Glory of Athens

(5 minutes)
You read and respond to a short passage If YOU were there.... and answer the question that is related to the short passage. You are required to write 2-3 sentences. Please make sure that you are using correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

Open Ended

If YOU were there.....

For many years, your city has been ruled by a small group of rich men. They have generally been good leaders. They have built new buildings and protected the city from enemies. But now a new leader wants to let all free men help run the government. It won't matter whether they are rich or poor. Some people worry about giving power to ordinary people.

Question: What do you think of this new government?

​ Module 8: Ancient Greece
Lesson 2: The Glory of Athens- Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule

​Standard:7.4- Analyze the development of civilization in ancient Greece.

Objective:7.4.4- Debate the various forms of government in ancient Greece from monarchy, to oligarchy, to democracy.



I can Statement: "I can analyze the monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy of ancient Greece.

​What will you learn today?

• ​Athens was the birthplace of democracy.

• Aristocrats and Tyrants ruled early Athens

• people in Athens endured war and tried many different forms of government before creating a democracy.

​ Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule

​The city of Athens in Greece is the birthplace of democracy, a type of government in which people rule themselves. The word democracy comes from Greek words meaning "rule of the people." Athens is the city where democracy was born and began with a different kind of government. In early Athens, kings ruled the city-state. Later, a group of rich landowners, or aristocrats (uh-RIS-tuh-krats), took power. A government in which only a few people have power is called an oligarchy (AH-luh-gar-kee). At that time Athenian society was also known as an aristocracy (uh-RIS-tuh-kra-see), because only those from the highest social class had power. In the 600s BC, rebels tried to overthrow the the aristocrats and failed. First, was Draco (DRAY-koh) who unpopular due to his overly strict laws that unfairly put limits on individual rights. Next was Solon (SOH-luhn) who created a set of laws that were much less harsh and under his law all free men living in Athens became citizens, people who had the right to participate in government. Last, Peisistratus (py-SIS-truht-uhs) was a tyrant, a leader who held power through the use of force and became the ruler of Athens. Today, the word tyrant means a ruler who is harsh.

Multiple Choice

a type of government in which people rule

• laws

• theocracy

• democracy

• policies

Multiple Choice

democracy comes from Greek words meaning

• "rule of the law"

• "rule of the citizens"

• "rule of the people"

• "rule of the power"

Match

Match the correct word to the definition

• group of rich landowners.

• government in which only few people have power.

• only the highest social class had power.

• people who had the right to participate in government.

• a leader who held power through the use of force.

aristocrats

oligarchy

aristocracy

citizens

tyrant

• aristocrats

• oligarchy

• aristocracy

• citizens

• tyrant

Multiple Choice

Today, what does the word tyrant mean?

• a ruler who has all the power

• a ruler who is happy

• a ruler who is rich

• a ruler who is harsh

​The Rise of the Tyrants

Athenian tyrants were usually good leaders who were able to stay in power because they had strong armies and people who supported them. Because Athenians weren't pleased with the rule of the aristocrats, they wanted a new government. In 546 BC, Peisistratus overthrew the oligarchy and brought peace and prosperity to the city. He began new policies meant to unify the city. He created new festivals, built temples and monuments, made many improvements in Athens, and he defended the the citizens of Athens. After Peisistratus died, rebellious aristocrats regained control of the city of Athens.

Word Cloud

use two words to describe Peisistratus

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: What is one take away that you learned from today's lesson?