Democracy in Classical Athens

4 credits · Undergraduate

This course examines the emergence and development of democracy in the ancient Greek world, from its tentative beginnings in the sixth century BCE to its most radical form in the fourth century. We will consider ancient evidence for the day-to-day workings of Athenian democracy and the emergence of democratic ideologies. We will explore the problems of leadership, citizenship, the size and structure of the Athenian population, decision-making, judicial procedure, punishment, and the tension between democracy and inequality. We will also read in their historical context some fierce ancient criticisms of democratic rule. We will explore the forces that undermined democracy in ancient Greece, and those that merely threatened to do so.