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Ancient Greece Contributions Debate

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Ancient Greece Contributions Debate

Read the source card, then investigate the claim: “Ancient Athenian democracy was a fair way to govern.” Gather evidence on both sides and write a balanced judgement. Remember: ancient Athens was not the same as modern democracy.

Source card: democracy in Athens

In the fifth century BCE, male citizens of Athens could take part in the Assembly. They met to debate and vote on some laws and decisions, often by a show of hands. Many public offices were chosen by lot, so citizens had a chance to serve. This was a form of direct democracy: citizens voted on decisions themselves rather than choosing representatives to vote for them. But participation was tightly limited. Women, enslaved people and men from other Greek communities who lived in Athens were not citizens and could not vote in the Assembly. The system gave political power to only a part of the population. Ancient Athens also made decisions in a very different society from the United Kingdom today.

Build your case

Use details from the source card as evidence. Consider both what participation offered citizens and who was excluded.

1.Which statement best describes direct democracy in ancient Athens?

Citizens voted on decisions themselves in an Assembly.
Citizens elected representatives to make every decision for them.
A king made decisions after consulting the Assembly.
Every person living in Athens could vote.

2.According to the source card, name one group excluded from voting in the Athenian Assembly.

3.Match each term to its meaning.

Assembly
Direct democracy
Chosen by lot

Selected at random
A gathering where citizens debated and voted
Citizens vote on decisions themselves

4.Give one detail from the source card that suggests Athenian citizens had a role in government.

5.True or false: every adult who lived in ancient Athens could vote in the Assembly. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

6.Which is a reasonable argument in favour of Athenian democracy, based on the source card?

Citizens could debate and vote on some decisions.
It gave equal political rights to everyone in Athens.
It prevented citizens from disagreeing with leaders.
It meant no one had to take part in public life.

7.Complete the sentence: Athenian democracy was limited because .

8.Write one argument supporting the claim “Ancient Athenian democracy was a fair way to govern” and one argument challenging it. Use evidence from the source card for each.

9.Write a short conclusion answering the debate claim. Decide whether Athenian democracy was fair, partly fair or unfair, and explain your judgement using at least two details from the source card.