In the Hellenistic* period, the distinctions between oligarchy and democracy became even less clear, since even democratic states tended to be governed by the rich. The Word Oligarchy is a type of power structure where power exercised by a privileged group of people. After Alexander's death, democracy was overthrown in Athens, but continued in city of Rhodes. Ancient Athens, or rather ancient Greece, was an oligarchy for a period of time before revolutions began to occur around 500 BC. In 404 BCE, following the defeat of the Athenian military forces in Sicily, there was an oligarchy of ‘ the Thirty Tyrants ’ in Athens which was a particularly brutal regime, noted for its summary executions. Democracy, which had prevailed during Athens’ Golden Age, was replaced by a system of oligarchy after the disastrous Athenian defeat in Sicily in 409 BCE. Sparta is unable to have an oligarchy because they have two kings that have no power to the people. The Athenian coup of 411 BC was the result of a revolution that took place during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Webster’s Dictionary defines an oligarchy as, “a government in which a small group exercises control.” The root of the word, oligarchy, comes from a Greek word meaning, “few.” In Ancient Greece, oligarchies were especially common as early as 800 B.C. For a brief period, from 404-403 B.C., the Thirty Tyrants established an oligarchy in Athens. Although, the other government forms such as monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy and tyranny had fulfilled their political functions at the time in Greece, they appeared to be inferior to the democratic system. classical Athens was a democracy, nor that Thebes was an oligarchy, but many constitutional forms lie in a gray haze, and there has been relatively little systematic discussion of anything other than democracy and tyranny in recent years. Comments Off on All About the Oligarchy of Ancient Greece. Introduction and Background. Some oligarchies, however, have been well documented. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library. Where the wealthy people control the gov-ernment and eventually reduce the rest of society to slave or serfs serving them. Oligarchybibliography [1]The word “oligarchy” and the concepts which it symbolizes originated in ancient Greece. yes Sparta was an oligarchy. The archons made decisions regarding Athens, and then submitted these decisions to the Areopagus for approval or denial. In the Archaic period, most of the city-states were ruled by oligarchies which continued till about the 600 and 500 BC a when the tyrants took over. Learn term:athens democracy = sparta: oligarchy with free interactive flashcards. These people may be characterized by wealth, education, family ties, religion. Introduction In the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, or “rule by the people” (from demos , “the people,” and kratos , or “power”). By as early as 800... See full answer below. During the dark ages, Athens had been a monarchy, but it emerged as an oligarchy in the 7th century BC. Become a Study.com member to unlock this Athens was ruled by a small group of people (archons) where Sparta was ruled by kings. But it was the best government up to that time and superior to what most of the ancient world was living under. From this revolution, the democracy came into being. Athens vs. Sparta Essay 1193 Words | 5 Pages. Introduction and Background. The two city-states that best represent each form of government were Sparta (oligarchy) and Athens (democracy). - Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons, Mesopotamia & Ancient Egypt: Similarities & Differences, What is Representative Democracy? An oligarchy is a power structure under which a small group of elite individuals, families, or corporations control a country. Sparta also had an assembly just like Athens, but the main decisions were taken by the “Council of Elders” with two kings … Later this oligarchy was ruled out of power by the oligarchy of 5000. form of governance in which administrative power is vested in a few people in the society Services, Oligarchy in Ancient Greece: Definition, Characteristics & Disadvantages, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Athens, as the leader in the early experiment of democracy had set the foundation for the later development of modern democracy. Sparta was ruled by an oligarchy whereas Athens was a democracy 2 What were the from APWH 486950435 at Freedom High School Before Ancient Greece developed into the governments that existed later on, most of the areas were structured as oligarchies. Athens was an oligarchy for a brief moment during the Peloponnesian War, when a group of elites, known as the 400, overthrew the Democratic government and installed themselves as rulers in 411 BCE. A majority of today’s de jure democratic governments are de facto oligarchies since they are ruled by a small group of people from powerful and influential families who have shared interests. Athens vs. Sparta During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. This chapter looks for oligarchs, and more generally for opponents of democracy, in Athens; to see who they were, what opinions and objectives they held, and why. We know that in 411 BCE in Athens, ‘the oligarchy of the 400’ took power out of the hands of the Assembly and were themselves superseded by a more moderate oligarchy of 5000. In Ancient Greece there were two different major forms of government, Oligarchy and Democracy. In 621 B.C., Draco was the first legislator in Ancient Greeceto impose a written law code that would become famous as an example of severity, but was a great step compared to the primitive justice syste… States calling … In Ancient Greece, may city-states remained as oligarchies even longer than Athens did. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. Athens and Sparta were two different political parties, Athens was a democracy, and Sparta was an oligarchy. However, this oligarchy had a violent, dramatic ending that helped develop democracy, which is a novel system of government that we still embrace today. Under Macedonian rule of Greece, tyrannies by pro-Macedonians were imposed on Athen's allies against Macedon. And the one that became an oligarchy before it’s eventual collapse. Although we know that there is a period of time where the oligarchies were extremely common in Ancient Greece, not much is known about them, especially early on. The Thirty Tyrants' brief reign was marred by violence and corruption. Rebellions also caused a shift in government, as aristocratic families fought for control of the city-state. The Ancient Greeks are credited for giving the world democracy, but really it’s the Ancient Athenians that we specifically have to thank. These few people generally belong to the rich and powerful section of the society. Oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía); from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few', and ἄρχω (arkho) 'to rule or to command') is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. Although the Greek city-states differed in size and natural resources, over the course of the Archaic Age they came to share certain fundamental political institutions and social traditions: citizenship, slavery, the legal disadvantages and political exclusion of women, and the continuing predominance of wealthy elites in public life. They were encouraged to steal food to create good thieves. Oligarchies in which members of the ruling group are wealthy or exercise their power through their wealth are known as plutocracies. History of Oligarchy. on All About the Oligarchy of Ancient Greece. Athens had an oligarchy in which several wealthy people ruled the government, while the United States is a republic in which all its citizens take part in government. In 411 BC, Athens was ruled by the oligarchy of the 400. In Ancient Greece there were two different major forms of government, Oligarchy and Democracy. Athens was the largest and most powerful Greek state. After the Greek Dark Ages, the population in that region scattered and the city-states arose sometime after that. Here’s more information about the oligarchies as they pertained to Ancient Greece”. The type of democracy practiced in Athens of the fifth and fourth centuries may not have been perfect. Which of the following best describes the... Indicate whether the statement is true or false.... State true or false and justify your answer:... Price matching a. is a strategic commitment. On occasion, these rebellions succeeded and a monarchy system was put into place, with a ruler called a tyrant. Where the wealthy people control the government and eventually reduce the rest of society to slave or serfs serving them. Athens. This incident happened in 404 BC and is said to be a brutal period in Greek history. This incident happened in 404 BC and is said to be a brutal period in Greek history. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. The coup overthrew the democratic government of ancient Athens and replaced it with a short-lived oligarchy known as the Four Hundred. Those that promote the benefits of “democracy” leave one thing out; it is always replaced with an oligarchy. Later Athens came to be ruled by the people as a democracy whilst Sparta remained an oligarchy. We know that in 411 BCE in Athens, ‘the oligarchy of the 400’ took power out of the hands of the Assembly and were themselves superseded by a more moderate oligarchy of 5000. How Did Traditional Greek Folk Dancing Get Started. Rebellions also caused a shift in government, as aristocratic families fought for control of the city-state. The constitutional change, according to Thucydides, seemed the only way to win much-needed support from Persia against the old enemy Sparta and, further, it was thought that the change would not be a permanent one. Oligarchy origin dates back to around 10th century BC. Athens's oligarchy was composed of nine rulers, also called "archons," elected by the Areopagus. The two city-states that best represent each form of government were Sparta (oligarchy) and Athens (democracy). But city-states developed these shared characteristics in strikingly different ways. - Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons, The Agricultural Revolution: Timeline, Causes, Inventions & Effects, Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells: Similarities and Differences, NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Help and Review, High School World History: Help and Review, High School US History: Homework Help Resource, High School US History: Tutoring Solution, NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Tutoring Solution, American History Since 1865: Tutoring Solution, McDougal Littell Modern World History - Patterns of Interaction: Online Textbook Help, High School World History: Tutoring Solution, Praxis Social Studies - Content Knowledge (5081): Study Guide & Practice, ILTS Social Science - History (246): Test Practice and Study Guide, SAT Subject Test US History: Practice and Study Guide, AP European History: Homework Help Resource, NY Regents Exam - US History and Government: Help and Review, Biological and Biomedical and in some places, like the city-state of Athens, the oligarchical system remained for much longer. Athenian Democracy: Solon and Cleisthenes, Pericles of Athens: Facts, Achievements & Death, Significance of Citizenship in Ancient Greece, Trade & Commerce in Greek City-States & the Mediterranean Region, Absolute Monarchy: Definition, Characteristics & Examples, What is a Dictatorship? https://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_Athens_considered_at_one_point_oliga… Athens vs. Sparta During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. The Athenian Revolution (508–507 BCE) was a revolt by the people of Athens that overthrew the ruling aristocratic oligarchy, establishing the almost century-long self-governance of Athens in the form of a participatory democracy – open to all free male citizens. Oligarchy would simply remove whatever restraints the democracy had imposed. These people may be distinguished by nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control. “If the right wing wants a fight, they’re going to get it.” ... Athens had been enslaved by an oligarchical class. Athens was the largest and most powerful Greek state. Sparta also had an assembly just like Athens, but the main decisions were taken by the “Council of Elders” with two kings … Later this oligarchy was ruled out of power by the oligarchy of 5000. Create your account. Oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía); from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few', and ἄρχω (arkho) 'to rule or to command') is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. Learn more about the philosophy of the types of government. In the Hellenistic* period, the distinctions between oligarchy and democracy became even less clear, since even democratic states tended to be governed by the rich. View this answer. In this, the seeds of Athenian democracy can be seen. - Definition, Facts, Characteristics & Examples, Forms of Government: Monarchy, Democracy, Oligarchy & More, Totalitarianism: Definition, Characteristics & Examples, What is Direct Democracy? Democracy, which had prevailed during Athens’ Golden Age, was replaced by a system of oligarchy in 411 BCE. Later Athens came to be ruled by the people as a democracy whilst Sparta remained an oligarchy. answer! When Athens lost a battle to Sicily, around thirty tyrants formed an oligarchy in Athens. Oligarchy took roots in Greece, Rome as a form of government. In the oligarchy system, few people has the power to rule. However, democracy wasn’t developed until much later on in Ancient Greece and it also took some time for the city-states to actually develop. Historians have argued that the violence and brutality the Thirty carried out in Athens was necessary to transition Athens from a democracy to an oligarchy. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The term “oligarchy” was pioneered by Aristotle to refer to the rule of the rich. Oligarchies in which members of the ruling group are wealthy or exercise their power through their wealth are known as plutocracies. Today the system is better known as plutocracy. Much of the credit goes to Cleisthenes whose reforms turned Athens from an oligarchy (government by the few) to a democracy (government of the people). But it was the best government up to that time and superior to what most of the ancient world was living under. The Spartan Empire Spartan Government: An oligarchy system was adopted in Sparta. After the Peloponnesian War, the democratic state of Athens was overruled by an oligarchy in favour of Sparta called The Thirty Tyrants, which only lasted eight years until democracy was restored. Although, the other government forms such as monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy and tyranny had fulfilled their political functions at the time in Greece, they appeared to be inferior to the democratic system. The correct option is (A) Athens. Ancient Greece, and Athens for that matter, is known for being the birthplace of democracy, however, true democracy only lasted there from the early 6th century until the late 4th century BC. These people may be distinguished by nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control. The archons made decisions regarding the rule of the city-state but they had to submit their decisions to the entire Areopagus, which would either accept or reject their rulings. Start studying Chapter 5 Section 2. Athens. _____, a militaristic city state, was an oligarchy, while its rival _____ was known for its democratic institutions See answer 526sgv is waiting for your help. Oligarchy, government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes. A reappraisal of the taxonomy of oligarchy is warranted. These were elected rulers of the Eupatridae (the nobility of Athens). Athens vs. Sparta Essay 1193 Words | 5 Pages. The eventual democratic system required that the eligible citizens vote on any decision that the population needed to make. Ancient Greece Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power rests in the hands of a small or limited number of people. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal As you can see, the oligarchy was a fairly common form of government in Ancient Greece. In Ancient Athens, which is a classic example of an oligarchy, the top government positions were only held by the elite class, or the aristocracy. Parthenon, a temple. Athens' satellites would not find an Athenian oligarchy any more amenable than a democracy. Critias was killed in the fighting at the doors of Athens. Much of the credit goes to Cleisthenes whose reforms turned Athens from an oligarchy (government by the few) to a democracy (government of the people). The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The city-states of Megara and Thebes were other city-states who were known to have an oligarchy. In 404 BCE, following the defeat of the Athenian military forces in Sicily, there was an oligarchy of ‘ the Thirty Tyrants ’ in Athens which was a particularly brutal regime, noted for its summary executions. It was a city with lots of beautiful public buildings, shops and public baths. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. To avoid the abuses of power, the laws were written down. To some extent, these things are true. In its basic use, the word identified one of the general forms of government recognized by the Greeks: that in which political government is conducted by a few persons or families. Start studying Chapter 5 Section 2. In 411 BC, Athens was ruled by the oligarchy of the 400. Even though they were different they were still very alike. Government by a small group is by definition an oligarchy. First, we'll look at the results of Athens' great defea The constitutional change, according to Thucydides, seemed the only way to win much-needed support from Persia against the old enemy Sparta and, further, it was thought that the change would not be a permanent one. Monarchy had mostly died out i… These monarchies did not always last and Athens would turn into an oligarchy … The social tumult obliged the aristocracy to make concessions for the rest of the population. It was a city with lots of beautiful public buildings, shops and public baths. For example, before building the Athenian navy, the politicians who advocated for it needed to convince the voters that building the navy was in the city-state’s best interest. One of the most popularly known oligarchies existed in Athens and in the surrounding region of Attica. During the dark ages, Athens had been a monarchy, but it emerged as an oligarchy in the 7th century BC. Even though they were different they were still very alike. Spartas Oligarchy Oligarchy was a political system that was used by the Spartans, that was centered on war. All rights reserved. Oligarchy, government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes. How Democracy ended in Athens; it was replaced by an Oligarchy. Yes, Athens was an oligarchy for several periods in the 7th, 6th, and 5th, centuries BCE. Athens vs. Sparta During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. The power in Athens was held by the people, and in Sparta there were two kings and 5 Ephors who made laws. The first great historical figure of that new era was Solon, general, merchant, poet and sage, who in 594 BC became chief magistrate. For a brief period, from 404-403 B.C., the Thirty Tyrants established an oligarchy in Athens. Aftermath. Here, we take a look at the Athenian “democracy” and as we read about In 510 BC, the city-state of Athens created the first democratic government, and soon other Greek city-states imitated them. Ancient Athens, or rather ancient Greece, was an oligarchy for a period of time before revolutions began to occur around 500 BC. In Ancient Athens, which is a classic example of an oligarchy, the top government positions were only held by the elite class, or the aristocracy. Athens vs. Sparta During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The oligarchy, which was composed of men who came from and were elected by the Areopagus, was made up of nine archons or “rulers.” The monarchy transformed into an oligarchy sometime in the 8th century BC. Overall, it was this group of nobles, the Are… As mentioned above, Athens was one of the more well known of the oligarchies and once the general population became tired of being ruled by only a small minority of its citizens, they revolted. Government by a small group is by definition an oligarchy. The power in Athens was held by the people, and in Sparta there were two kings and 5 Ephors who made laws. During the Corinthian War (395 – 387 BC), Sparta’s previous allies fought along Athens against Sparta, establishing the Second Athenian League . if you think that Sparta is an oligarchy, you are wrong. In this form of government, you can see the seeds of Athens’ democracy. The first great historical figure of that new era was Solon, general, merchant, poet and sage, who in 594 BC became chief magistrate. Since the origin of Oligarchy it has evolved tremendously and spread across many nations through the ages. Choose from 185 different sets of term:athens democracy = sparta: oligarchy flashcards on Quizlet. When most people think about the structure of government in Ancient Greece, they may believe that it was a democracy, or that Ancient Greece was broken up by city-states. These monarchies did not always last and Athens would turn into an oligarchy … _____, a militaristic city state, was an oligarchy, while its rival _____ was known for its democratic institutions See answer 526sgv is waiting for your help. Hellenistic kings and Rome promoted oligarchy and monarchy in Greece. Athens and Sparta were two different political parties, Athens was a democracy, and Sparta was an oligarchy. Athens, as the leader in the early experiment of democracy had set the foundation for the later development of modern democracy. Ironically, as only around 150,000 of the 800,000+ people in Athens were elgible to vote, Athens could also be called an oligarchy (might want to mention that to the teacher just to annoy them) The Athenian Revolution (508–507 BCE) was a revolt by the people of Athens that overthrew the ruling aristocratic oligarchy, establishing the almost century-long self-governance of Athens in the form of a participatory democracy – open to all free male citizens. Athenian Oligarchy and the Development of Democracy During the eighth century the monarchy was replaced with nine Archons, meaning ruler in Greek. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The type of democracy practiced in Athens of the fifth and fourth centuries may not have been perfect. This revolution and the development of the new system of government occurred around 500 B.C. The politicians were also voted in by the public. When Athens lost a battle to Sicily, around thirty tyrants formed an oligarchy in Athens. Athens had an alliance system that gave all members a voice in the government, while the United States has a democratic system that elects officials to make decisions. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Parthenon, a temple. By as early as 800... Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions. By nobility, wealth, education, family ties, religion to make concessions for the rest society. Access to this video and Our entire Q & a library power through their wealth are known as plutocracies had. Golden Age, was an oligarchy in Athens members of the new system of it. Whatever restraints the democracy came into being with flashcards, games, in... 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