Compared to modern American ideas about democracy, Ancient Greek democracy was unique in —

A. electing representatives to govern the city-state
Incorrect. The type of government in which one elects representatives is more like the modern American model. We call this representative democracy.

B. separating foreign residents from citizens
Incorrect. Both the modern American government and Ancient Greek government made a distinction between citizens and non-citizens.

C. naming experienced leaders as military generals
Incorrect. This answer choice doesn’t relate directly to the question. In addition, Greeks actually chose ordinary citizens to command armies as the idea of a “professional soldier” had not yet developed.

D. urging that all citizens participate directly in lawmaking and policymaking
Correct! As modern Americans, we are familiar with a representative democracy, in which we vote on elected officials to represent our views in the government. In Ancient Greece, however, citizens voted directly on matters of public importance, such as whether or not to go to war.

Even after the democratic reforms of Cleisthenes, which of the following matters would a citizen of Athens most likely NOT vote on?

A. Whether to lower or raise taxes
Incorrect. The raising of taxes was something that was regularly debated in assemblies in Athens.

B. Granting freedom for slaves
Correct! While citizens of Athens could have theoretically voted to end slavery, the slave system was an integral part of the Athenian state from beginning to end. The idea of equality and individual rights for ALL people had not quite been invented yet.

C. The decision to go to war
Incorrect. The citizens of Athens frequently voted on matters of war and peace. In fact, more often than not they voted to go to war.

D. Whether or not to construct a new temple
Incorrect. Public works such as roads, temples, and parks were matters that citizens frequently voted on.

Why is the period in which Pericles ruled Athens considered the ancient city-state’s greatest period?

A. The Athenians defeated the Spartans in the Peloponnesian War.
Incorrect. Actually, Sparta (which was a military dictatorship) defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War, plunging Athens into a dark age. Some people at the time considered this proof that the Athenian system of democracy was a failure.

B. The Persian Empire was finally conquered by the Greeks.
Incorrect. Greeks would eventually conquer the massive Persian empire to the East, but it would not be under the leadership of Pericles. The Greek who conquered Persia was from the city-state of Macedonia and is today known as Alexander the Great.

C. Democratic participation among poor classes increased, and a great deal of wealth flowed into Athens as it came to dominate its neighboring city-states.
Correct! As Athens became more wealthy and powerful, it enabled its citizens to construct massive temples and other displays of its wealth and power. Athens would also try to dominate its neighboring city-states, which would eventually lead to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.

D. It was during this period that the rule of “benevolent dictators” was restored after a period of inept rule by the citizenry.
Incorrect. In fact, the Age of Pericles is known as a time of greater participation and democracy.

Which of the following would be an example of “direct democracy”— the type of democracy practiced in Athens under Pericles?

A. Contributing money to a politician running for office
Incorrect. This is an example of an activity common in representative democracies.

B. Deciding whether or not to raise the price of figs
Correct! This is an example of citizens directly deciding on a policy matter, which is direct democracy.

C. Voting for a politician like Pericles to represent the city-state in the assembly
Incorrect. This is an example of representative democracy.

D. Following the directives of a central authority or “tyrant”
Incorrect. The idea of democracy is the opposite of following dictatorial authority.

Suppose a woman is accused of robbery today in the United States. How might her trial in court be different today than if she were tried in Ancient Athens?

A. In today’s courts, her fate would be decided by a jury of other citizens.
Incorrect. The same would be true of ancient Athens, in which juries were made up of ordinary citizens, hundreds of them in fact.

B. In Athens, she would be assumed to be guilty until she was proven innocent.
Incorrect. The Athenians believed that evidence and arguments needed to be presented to prove the guilt of a person before they could be punished, just as in our legal system.

C. The American jury would have significantly more people.
Incorrect. Actually, juries in Athens had hundreds of people, whereas juries in the modern United States typically have 12.

D. In the United States, the woman would be allowed to speak on her own behalf.
Correct! In ancient Athens, women were not considered full citizens, and thus they normally had men to speak for them in court.