Social Classes
What were the three main social classes in ancient Athens?
Citizens
Slaves
Metics
How many members were in the Boule?
500.
What was the main role of the Eclessia?
To debate laws proposed by the Boule
Who was Draco?
An Athenian lawmaker who created a written law code.
What was the Dikasteria?
The people's courts of ancient Athens.
What was a metic?
A free foreign resident of Athens who was not a citizen.
How were members of the Boule usually selected?
By lottery from one of the ten tribes of Athens
True or False
Women could serve on the Ecclesia
False
Before Draco, how were laws passed down in Athens?
Orally
What was the main responsibility of the Dikasteria?
To hear court cases and make legal decisions.
Which social class could participate in Athenian democracy?
Eligible male citizens.
What was the main job of the Boule?
To prepare issues and proposed laws for the Ecclesia to discuss.
What did citizens do in the Ecclesia before voting?
They debated proposed laws and decisions.
What was an important change Draco made to Athenian laws?
He had laws written down and made publicly known.
How were jurors selected for the Dikasteria?
By lottery from eligible citizens.
What right did Citizens have that Metics did not?
They could not vote or hold political office.
Why was a lottery used to choose members of the Boule?
To give eligible citizens a more equal chance to serve and reduce the influence of wealth.
Where did members of the Ecclesia go to make decisions?
Pynx Hill
Why were Draco's laws considered harsh?
Many crimes received very severe punishments, including death.
How old did a citizen have to be to serve as a juror.
30 years old
True or False
Boys ranked above women in terms of power in Ancient Athens
True
How long did a citizen serve on the Boule?
2 years
How did the Ecclesia demonstrate direct democracy instead of representative democracy?
Eligible citizens debated and voted on decisions themselves rather than electing representatives to make all decisions for them.
Draco's laws were harsh. Why was writing laws down still an important step in Athenian history?
People could know the laws, and rich nobles had less freedom to change or interpret unwritten rules however they wanted.
Why were jurors chosen a few hours before the trial?
To avoid bribery and corruption