athens
what is athens?
This city-state is often called the "birthplace of democracy
What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
this document, part of the Constitution, protects the essential rights and freedoms of everyone living in Canada.
What is 18?
in Athens, you had to be 30 to serve on the Council; in Canada, you must be this age to vote in an election.
Who is the King?
Sitting at the very top of society, this person was the supreme ruler and ultimate source of authority.
What is ceremonial (or Constitutional Monarch)?
While the Anglo-Saxon King was an autocratic "Chief Warrior," the King of Canada today holds this type of powerless, symbolic role.
What is the Boule?
This was the "Council of 500," responsible for day-to-day business and setting the agenda for the Assembly.
What is representative democracy?
Unlike Ancient Athens, where everyone voted on every law, Canada uses this type of democracy where we elect people to vote for us.
What is the Voters List (or Jury Roll)?
While Athenian jurors were chosen by lottery, Canadian jurors are also chosen at random from this local list.
Who is the serfs?
Unlike slaves, these unfree peasants were "bound to the land," meaning they could not leave but were entitled to protection from their lord.
What is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
In Anglo-Saxon times, your "man-price" (Wergild) changed based on your rank; in Canada, this document ensures that everyone is equal under the law.
Who are citizens?
in Athens, only this group of people—free men born to Athenian parents—could vote or hold office.
What are Justice, Equity, Freedom, and Representation?
These are the four "pillars" of democracy that guide Canada's government.
Who are slaves?
This social class in Athens had zero rights and performed much of the hard labour; it does not exist in modern Canada.
what is the Witan (or Witenagemot)?
This "Council of Wise Men" advised the king and had the power to help choose the next ruler.
What is representative democracy?
The Anglo-Saxon Witan was a small group of nobles who advised the King, but Canada uses this system where millions of citizens elect people to make decisions.
What is the agora?
This large open area in the middle of the city served as a marketplace and a place for citizens to meet.
Who is the Prime Minister?
this person is the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in a federal election.
What are Metics?
this is the name for the residents of Athens who were born outside the city-state and could not participate in government.
Who is slaves?
Occupying the absolute bottom of society, these people—often called thralls—were considered property with no legal rights and no wergild (man-price).
What is Common Law?
Anglo-Saxon justice sometimes used "Trial by Ordeal" (like boiling water); Canada instead uses this legal system based on past decisions and evidence.
What is a lottery?
To ensure fairness, many government positions and jurors in Athens were chosen by this "random" method.
What is 1918?
Unlike Athens, where only men could vote, Canadian women officially secured the right to vote in federal elections in this year.
Who are lawyers?
In Athens, people represented themselves in court; in Canada, people often hire these professionals to speak for them.
Who are Earls (or Ealdormen)?
These noblemen ruled large regions called earldoms on behalf of the king and were considered his "right-hand men"
What is Municipal?
in Anglo-Saxon England, power was concentrated in one person; Canada divides power between three levels of government: Federal, Provincial, and this local level.