Latest / The History of Greece: Philosophy, Empire, and Endless Reinvention — Fexingo History
Cleisthenes and the Birth of Athenian Democracy
Before Pericles, before the golden age, there was Cleisthenes. In 508 BCE, this Athenian aristocrat broke the power of the old clans and created a radical new system: democracy. This episode unpacks how Cleisthenes redrew the political map of Attica, dividing citizens into ten new tribes based on their local deme, and creating a council of 500 chosen by lottery. We explore the concept of isonomia—equality before the law—and the invention of ostracism, that strange ritual where Athenians could vote to exile a citizen for ten years. How did Cleisthenes outmaneuver his rival Isagoras and a…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.