Examine what the development of Athenian democracy shows us about politics.

What will be an ideal response?

Athenian democracy develops from the reforms of Solon. These reforms were necessitated by the overly harsh laws of Draco. Solon relaxed these laws and forgave debts. This empowered the people to expect more. Peisistratus, the tyrant, implemented some of Solon’s reforms, but his son and successor Hippias reverted to draconian severity. As a result, the Athenians revolted in 510, and Kleisthenes established the democracy in 508 BCE. This history shows us that in politics the most prudent choice is often the course of moderation. Both Draco and Hippias were too severe in their oppression of the Athenians and suffered the consequences. Peisistratus, though a tyrant, was sufficiently responsive to his people, relaxing the taxes and establishing tax-free farms in areas that were particularly difficult to farm. Kleisthenes established mechanisms in the government that effectively checked historically destabilizing factors such as the well-established families. He distributed duties and power more evenly throughout the population, initiating a system of direct democracy for the enfranchised.