Before the Persian Wars, Athens had a leader named Cleisthenes. He believed all citizens should have a say in government.
Before him, only the wealthy, or the nobility, or kings had a say. He began making changes around 508 BCE. These changes led to an early form of democracy. Here are a few of the changes he made. Every adult male citizen was allowed to vote on laws. Ordinary people could hold public office. Citizens met to discuss the city’s business in an assembly. Taking part in the assembly was a duty.
We call the system Cleisthenes created a direct democracy. That means all members of the assembly got an equal vote. A council would suggest a law. People in the assembly would argue for or against the law. After these speeches, there would be a show of hands. That was how they voted. If voters didn’t agree with a law, they could vote it down.
