The Athenian definition of “citizens” was also different from modern-day citizens: only free men were considered citizens in Athens. Women, children, and slaves were not considered citizens and therefore could not vote.
How did Athenians govern themselves?
Greek democracy created at Athens was direct, rather than representative: any adult male citizen over the age of 20 could take part, and it was a duty to do so. The officials of the democracy were in part elected by the Assembly and in large part chosen by lottery in a process called sortition.
Did Sparta have an agricultural economy?
While the Athenian economy depended on trade, Sparta’s economy relied on farming and on conquering other people. Sparta didn’t have enough land to feed all its people, so Spartans took the land they needed from their neighbors.
What kind of taxes did the Athenians pay?
In general, there were no direct taxes on income or wealth. As Athens grew into an international power, it developed a large and expensive navy of several hundred state-of-the-art wooden warships called triremes – literally meaning three-rowers.
Who are the richest people in ancient Athens?
In ancient Athens, only the richest people paid taxes on wealth, and they were happy to do it. Twospoonfuls via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Where did the money come from in ancient Athens?
Much of this income came from publicly owned farmland and silver mines that were leased to the highest bidders, but Athens also taxed imports and exports and collected fees from immigrants and prostitutes as well as fines imposed on losers in many court cases. In general, there were no direct taxes on income or wealth.
Why was the military so important to the Athenians?
To the ancient Athenians, physical military might was only part of the equation. They also believed that the salvation of the state from outside threats depended on a less tangible but equally crucial and costly source of defense: the favor of the gods.
