Athenian Government
Athens became a democracy around 500 B.C.E. But only free men were allowed to be citizens. All men over the age of 18 were were born in Athens were citizens - women and slaves were not allowed to be citizens.
Every citizen could take part in the city's government. Their was a group called the Council of 500 that met every day. Each year the names of all citizens over 30 were collected, and 500 of them were chosen to be in the Council of 500. This council ran the day-to-day business and also proposed new laws.
These proposed laws had to be approved by a much larger group, called the Assembly. The Assembly met on a hill every 10 days. At least 6,000 citizens had to be present for a meeting to occur. The Assembly debated and voted on laws proposed by the council
Every citizen could take part in the city's government. Their was a group called the Council of 500 that met every day. Each year the names of all citizens over 30 were collected, and 500 of them were chosen to be in the Council of 500. This council ran the day-to-day business and also proposed new laws.
These proposed laws had to be approved by a much larger group, called the Assembly. The Assembly met on a hill every 10 days. At least 6,000 citizens had to be present for a meeting to occur. The Assembly debated and voted on laws proposed by the council
Spartan Government
Sparta's government was much different than Athens, it was an oligarchy.
An oligarchy meant the ruling power was in the hands of only a few people. Similar to Athens, Sparta also had an assembly, but the important desicions were made by a group called the Council Of Elders.
The Council of Elders consisted of two kings and 28 other men. The two kings inherited their positions and they both shared equal powers. The other 28 men were elected by the Assembly. In order to be elected to the Council of Elders, men had to be at least 60 years old and from a noble family. The Council prepared laws for the Assembly to vote on, and it had the power to stop any laws passed by the Assembly that the council members did not like.
The Assembly was made up of male citizens that met in a large outdoor area away from the center of the city. The Assembly had very little power, it could not debate on issues, it could only vote yes or no on laws suggested by the Council of Elders.
An oligarchy meant the ruling power was in the hands of only a few people. Similar to Athens, Sparta also had an assembly, but the important desicions were made by a group called the Council Of Elders.
The Council of Elders consisted of two kings and 28 other men. The two kings inherited their positions and they both shared equal powers. The other 28 men were elected by the Assembly. In order to be elected to the Council of Elders, men had to be at least 60 years old and from a noble family. The Council prepared laws for the Assembly to vote on, and it had the power to stop any laws passed by the Assembly that the council members did not like.
The Assembly was made up of male citizens that met in a large outdoor area away from the center of the city. The Assembly had very little power, it could not debate on issues, it could only vote yes or no on laws suggested by the Council of Elders.