Rebellion Against Power in Ancient Greece

The government of many city-states, notably Athens, passed through four stages from the time of Homer to historical times. The oligarchic successors of the kings were the wealthy landowning nobles, the " eupatridae," or wellborn. However, the rivalry among these nobles and the discontent of the oppressed masses was so great that soon a third stage appeared. Not only did this lead to the next stage of tyranny but also showed the beginnings of discontent that could culminate in rebellion.

Between two and three centuries before this, the Athenian kings

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For the first half of the fifth century, there are reports of two attempts to overthrow the democracy.

After a long reign where Pisistratus’ two sons continued ruling in his tyrannical footsteps, Greek power emerged into another stage – democracy.

Generally however, there is not a particularly large emphasis upon rebellion as a result of internal power struggles, with the main concerns of the time leading to battle and disrupt centring around international discontent and larger problems such as the Persians. A revolution was averted only by the wise intervention of Solon, about a generation later. Compiled by Draco, the new code was particularly harsh and “draconic” after its authors name but unfortunately it did not give the peasants sufficient relief. Solon's reforms only delayed the overthrow of the aristocracy, and about 561 BC Pisistratus, supported by the discontented populace, made himself tyrant. Plutarch is the only source of one of these early battles:

“Some men of great wealth from distinguished families…secretly forgathered in a house at Plateae and conspired to overthrow the rule of the people…”

The second attempt to overthrow the democracy took place within a few years after the reforms of Ephialtes established the democracy. The Athenians attained popular sovereignty with a minimum of bloodshed and internal upheaval. However, the peasants found that under this aristocratic leadership, many if not all of them faced endless cases of oppression. However, this does not mean that there was no opposition to popular government or to the policies it perused. In about 621BC an important step in the direction of democracy was taken; not just as a result of a developing civilisation but in order to try and prevent an enormous uprising from the peasant population. Thus an aristocratic form of government was established. had made way for officials called "archons," elected by the nobles.

Common topics in this essay:
BC Pisistratus, Ancient Greece, Compiled Draco, , overthrow democracy,

Approximate Word count = 402
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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