Ancient Greek Democracy Quiz

Etymology and Ancient Athens

• The word 'democracy' originates from the Greek words 'demos' meaning 'people' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'.

Ancient Athenian Governance

• In the 5th century BC, Athens established a governing system known as democracy, where power was held by the people.
• All citizens of Athens would meet in an assembly, known as the 'ecclesia', to discuss city issues, approximately 40 times a year.

Importance of the Athenian Assembly

• The Athenian assembly played a significant role in terms of citizen participation, as it allowed citizens to engage directly in decision-making processes.
• This assembly was a crucial aspect of Athenian democracy, as it fostered a sense of community and encouraged active participation in governance.

Decision-Making in the Athenian Assembly

• Important issues in the Athenian assembly were typically decided through a process of discussion, debate, and voting.
• Decisions were made by a majority vote, where citizens would raise their hands to indicate their approval or disapproval of a particular proposal.