Reference no: EM132059489

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Ancient Greece, especially classical Athens (400's BCE) has often been described as a cradle of democracy. How accurate is the term "democracy" when applied to Athens in particular or ancient Greece in general? Crucial: be sure to define what you mean by "democracy" in your answer.

Democracy is the form of government where every adult member of the society exercised their right to freely elect the suitable representative. This form of government system relies on majority righteousness and each individual's own right to elect someone without any outside pressure.

In Greece, however, this concept did not apply very well because only privileged men were able to participate in politics leaving the entire lower class of the society, women, foreigners and slaves. So it seems more like aristocracy since it only included free men with enough wealth and time to attend public affairs.

So, the term "democracy" in Greece is not accurate especially around 4th century. But later during the late sixth and fifth centuries, Solon - an aristocrat who mediated between classes - provided the opportunity to participate governing affairs to the middle class, forbade the debt slavery, liberated debt slaves and paid wages to the office-holders.

The Greece democracy around late sixth century became more like today's concept of democracy but still it lacks the participation of women and foreigners.