Cleisthenes was the Leader in Athens and was Exiled
508 BC.
Athens first step to become an empire
For the first time in history , civilizations revolted and gained power.
At this point they turned to the exiled Cleisthenes
Cleisthenes had to design a revolutionary governmental system
But how to give them a say in there future?
The agora is where people could come up and say there opinion.
And he established a vote , a white pebble for yes, a black pebble for no.
And this is what we now know as a democracy.
Unlike our democracy, the Athenian democracy there was no government, (direct democracy)
But, women couldn't vote, kids couldn't vote. Etc.
Arête = no cheating
After Cleisthenes, there was war!!!
490 BC
Phiddepides , the inspiration of today marathon, ran miles to tell of the Persian empire's attack, Darius,
Marathon was first hit, on Persian attack
As Athens faced Persian, will little success
Phiddepides ran to Sparta for help, while Athens was being destroyed
Phiddepides ran 140 miles in two days.
Help was refused by Sparta.
Athenians won battle, surprisingly
Athenians killed 6,000 Persians
, Themistocles was the general of Athens.
He know Persians were still a danger.
If Persians came again, he knew they would be better prepared
So Themistocles created the trireme, a ship which would ram another ship.
Athens found silver to pay for Trireme
Athens ended up with 200 triremes
Darius' son Xerxes wanted to revenge his father, and destroy Athens.
Xerxes army was2,000,000 men, and mad
480 Bc. He army came marching ,
Athens found out and were afraid.
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