Cleisthenes, often referred to as the "Father of Athenian Democracy," implemented significant reforms in Athens around 508-507 BCE that laid the foundation for the democratic system. His key reforms included:
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Tribal Reorganization: Cleisthenes reorganized the citizen population into ten tribes, each composed of members from different regions of Attica. This aimed to reduce the power of traditional aristocratic families and promote broader participation in governance.
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Demes: He established small local units called demes, which functioned like municipalities. This encouraged local governance and citizen involvement at a community level.
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Council of Five Hundred (Boule): Cleisthenes created a new council composed of 500 citizens, 50 from each tribe, responsible for setting the agenda for the Assembly and overseeing the administration of government. This made governance more representative.
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Increased Power of the Assembly: The Assembly (Ekklesia) was given greater authority, allowing all citizens to participate directly in decision-making, which promoted a more inclusive political environment.
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Ostracism: Introduced a procedure known as ostracism, where citizens could vote to exile individuals perceived as threats to the state, thereby preventing the rise of tyrants.
Overall, Cleisthenes' reforms democratized Athenian politics, ensured broader participation, and diminished the influence of aristocracy, setting the stage for the development of classical democracy in Athens.
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