Episode 1 ‘Revolution’, The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization (PBS)

1. Episode 1 ‘Revolution’, The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization (PBS)

2. Episode 1 ‘Revolution’, The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization (PBS) • Kleisthenes – an Athenian born into an aristocratic family, mid 6th century • 6th Century Athens – a small and relatively insignificant town built round the acropolis • Mud-brick houses, no sewerage, life-expectancy < 50 • Dominated by aristocrats. Ordinary people had no part or share in power

3. Episode 1 ‘Revolution’, The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization (PBS) • Terrain unlike that of the flat river-based empires of Egypt and Persia • Independent city-states • Sparta was the polis most likely to dominate Greece • Sparta – austere and militaristic • Sparta dominated southern Peloponnesus, ruled over helots

4. 561 – 527 BC: Rule of Pisistratus Rules as a tyrant (autocrat – sole ruler) for 19 of these years Generally benevolent - Challenged power of aristocrats

5. 527 – 510 BC: Hippias – Becomes a cruel despot after his brother, Hipparchus, is murdered in 514 BCE- Athenian opponents successfully enlisted Sparta’s help. Spartan forces ultimately triumphed in 510 BCE. Hippias exiled.

6. 510 – 508 BC: Civil War - Isagoras (with support of Spartan King Cleomenes) takes control but he antagonises people by, amongst other things, dissolving the council– Cleisthenes and his clan (the Alcmaeonid family) overthrow Isagoras

7. 508 BC: birth of Athenian democracy • Cleisthenes’ reforms the Athenian political system • Created tribes that reduced the influence of geographic and family loyalties • Introduced sortition • (May have) introduced ostracism