The aristocrat Cleisthenes introduced democracy in Athens in the year 508 B.C. (“Ancient Greece”). Two years of Civil War prefaced this democracy (“Ancient Greece”). It is ironic that Cleisthenes introduced democracy as he was born into a wealthy and aristocratic family (“Cleisthenes”). When Cleisthenes was born, a sharp division existed between commoners and the rich nobles who ruled the commoners (“Cleisthenes”). Cleisthenes was a noble by birth (“Cleisthenes”).
Before Cleisthenes, there was Solon. Solon was an aristocratic reformer who paved the way for Cleisthenes (“Cleisthenes”). Solon worked to limit the nobility’s power (“Cleisthenes”). Solon encouraged Greek citizens to take responsibility for ...
