Athens: From Democracy To Hemlock – 3. Democracy Is Born
Vase depicting ancient Olympic games
Cleisthenes assembles a conspiracy to overthrow the tyrant – Heroism permeates all society – Olympic games, the heroic ideal – Isagoras turns to the Spartans, seizes control of Athens – Cleisthenes cast out of the city – Athenians rise in revolution – In control of the mob – Revolutionary governmental solution for a revolutionary political situation – A white pebble for Yes, a black pebble for No – Democracy is born.
Cleisthenes, founder of democracy. Source: http://www.pbs.org/
It is a time of heroism across the Greek world. The Olympic games, once reserved for rich aristocrats, are now open to all men. Commoners are free to emulate their heroes and fight for an olive wreath and fame. It is an era ripe for extraordinary feats on the part of ordinary people.
Isagoras, powerful Athenian aristocrat, seeks help from the Spartans in 510 BC in order to seize control of Athens. He is successful, declaring himself tyrant and casting out Cleisthenes and 700 other families.
Two years later, the common Athenians rise up in revolution and topple Isagoras. The Spartans are expelled and Cleisthenes is called back to form a government. He seizes the moment to create a new system of governance, whereby all men of Athens can now cast their vote on civic matters. The world’s first democracy is born. It is referred to as Isonomia.
From the phenomenal Atlantic Productions Documentary Series, Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
Narrator: Liam Neeson
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