Athenian Democracy Established

Cleisthenes reforms Athens, creating the first known democracy — radical, limited, and utterly transformative.

The reforms of Cleisthenes introduced isonomia (equality before the law) and created a system where citizens could vote directly on legislation. However, "citizens" excluded women, slaves, and foreigners — the majority of the population.

Perspective

We romanticize Athenian democracy, but it was democracy for roughly 10-15% of the population. Still, the idea itself — that ordinary people could govern themselves — was genuinely radical. Every democracy since has been trying to expand that 10% toward 100%.