Did you know? All citizens in Athens could take part in the government because the population was small. Each citizen could discuss and vote on laws and be elected to public ofýce. This is called ‘direct democracy’. In Australia, we have ‘representative democracy’. Citizens over age 18 vote for politicians to represent them and their community. The party with the most seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, while the losing party forms the Opposition to review the government’s actions. The Senate has 76 members who are supposed to protect state interests.
SOURCE2 Government in Athens
Government in Athens
Assembly or ecclesia
Jury courts or heliaea
• Comprised Athenian citizens • Met every nine days • Debated and voted on all Athenian laws and policies
• Comprised
6000 citizens • Juries were drawn by lot from the 6000 • Dealt with all crimes except murder
Elected every year
Elected
War generals
• Ten men chosen • Had to be citizens with military experience • Often served for more than one year • Had special powers
Elected every year
Referred laws and policies for voting
Council of 500 or boule
Committees
• Comprised 50 men from each of the 1 0 tribes of Athens, chosen by lot • Took action on laws passed by ecclesia • Citizens could be members only twice in a lifetime • Leader changed daily
• Helped to manage speciýc aspects of government (e.g. markets) • Each comprised 1 0 elected citizens • Minor ofýcials elected to help committees
Religious officials
Elected
• Nine men chosen • Had to be citizens • Had special powers
Worked with
SkillBuilder discussion Historical signiýcance 1. How does the painting show the mood and atmosphere of the Athenian Assembly following Pericles’ death? 2. Identify the historical details and symbols that are included in the painting to show the political and social changes in Athens after Pericles’ death. 3. Describe how the artist’s style and choice of colors inþuence the viewer’s perception of this signiýcant moment in Athenian history?
SOURCE3 Painting of Athenian Assembly after the death of Pericles in 429 BCE
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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