I. Ancient Greece

A. Background

a gov’t: system for exercising authority

b democracy: rule of the people; evolved slowly

c Greece: developed 1^st democracy

B. Athens: largest, most-powerful

a city-states: basic political unit

b monarchy-to-aristocracy

c citizens: adult male residents; certain rights & responsibilities

C. Athenian Reformers

a Solon: wealth class system replaced hereditary system

b Cleisthenes: “founder of democracy in Athens”: increased citizen participation

D. Changes

a Pericles: direct democracy

b Philosophers—Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—used logic and reason to explore new ideas

(a) created atmosphere conducive to democracy

II. Rome

A. Republic: power rests with citizens who have the right to elect the leaders who make gov’t decisions

1. developed a set of just laws that applied equally to people throughout the empire

a based on reason and justice; protection of citizens and their property

b innocent until proven guilty

c burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused

d any law seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside

2. written legal code: Twelve Tables

a Code of Justinian: compilation of Roman laws; became a guide on legal matters throughout western Europe