Government and Politics of Ancient Athens

Athens is known as the birthplace of democracy. But it was a long path to get there. And this democracy didn't exactly function like any nation you think of today.

Most people today think of democracy as an inherently good thing. If you're one of those people, it's remove that silly notion from your brain. A democracy can be just as tyrannical as a ... well ... tyranny. Sometimes more so. Just ask the other Greek states under the thumb of the Athenian Empire.

*Check prices on all books about Athenian Democracy.

Athens went through many rulers and strong men, or tyrants, before reforms were put in place that would eventually grow into what we recognize as the very first democracy.
The political system known as "Athenian Democracy" was the single greatest influence on the later development of democracy in Rome, and arguably the most important historical influence upon our modern Democratic states.