In Athens the pressing economic and social problems led to the creation of government by democracy. Four rulers, Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleithenes, greatly influenced the political development of Athens. However, Athenian democracy cannot really be called a true democracy since there were several flaws in the government and the way in which it functioned. Upper class male citizens over the age of thirty were the only Athenians who held any right to vote. The democracy in Athens consisted of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. Together, nine anchors, a Council of five hundred, an Assembly, and a court chosen by lot governed the city-state with limited power. The Assembly was made up of five hundred men w

ho were chosen from a list of those who were eligible to serve on the council. All branches of the government were capable of vetoing one another. It was also customary to expel from the country any speaker who became too powerful. This rule could easily be abused and often infringed on the freedom of speech that most democracies have. However, as stated in the Athenian Constitution, male citizens were equal and the government's focus was on the individual rather than the state as a whole. This form of government could have run smoothly if it had not existed in a time led my military empires. The Athenian economy depended on foreign trade and travel. Because of Athens' location on the Aegean Sea, sailing increased trade and placed Athenian ships everywhere from the Black Sea to Spain. While trade was a necessity in Athens, there was a law in Sparta that banned all foreign trade and foreign traveling. The Athenians also built one of the most powerful navies in the world, in part supported by the Delian League. In Athens, citizens held the highest rank, and males were privileged with voting rights while women holding citizenship were still regarded as minors. The non-Athenians, or metics, worked as merchants or artisans. Though they paid the same taxes as citizens, metics could never own land or participate in government. Lastly came the slaves who were a necessity to Athens and dependent on their master. Though owning no property and sharing no privileges with the citizens, the law protected the slaves from being treated brutally. Quite possibly one of the greatest differences between the Athenian and the Spartans regarded their attitude towar

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Approximate Word count = 1117
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)