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At the end of the Dark age, Nobles took over 

Athens. The first challenge was the owners of 

small farms and farmers. They needed money 

until they could harvest and grow crops. So 

they borrowed money from the Nobles and 

they would lose their land. 

By this time Farmers, merchants, and artisans 

began to demand change in structure and 

power. They wanted share in governing. They 

were wealthy from trade but did not own land.  

A Tyrant is someone who takes power by force 

and rules with total authority. The tyrants 

overthrew the Nobles because of backing from 

common people. Support came from Hoplites 

who were also farmers and in the army. The 

Tyrants would build new places in the city but 

were ruled by one person which most Greeks 

did not want, they wanted citizens to be a part 

of the government.

Draco was a tyrant, who made a written legal 

system and a court to enforce his laws. He 

gave harsh punishments for very minor 

offenses. A Draconian law means a very unjust 

or harsh punishment.

The Nobles turned to the man both sides would 

trust and he was Solon. Solon became the 

leader in Athens. He replaced Draco's harsh 

laws and organized a group of ordinary citizens 

to vote on how Athens was going to be 

governed. The assembly gathered 40 times a 

year, open to all male citizens with at least 2 

years of military service. The government 

Solon created was a democracy because 

people decided with the government. (citizens) 

He canceled the farmers debts. 

Peisistratus came to power over Athens as a 

tyrant. In 560 B.C. He had support from the 

poor by dividing large estates among landless 

farmers. He loaned money to the poor, and 

gave them jobs. 

Oligarchy is a small group of people (citizens) 

having control over country or government. 

Sparta had an oligarchy. Two kings headed a 

council of elders. 28 citizens over the age of 60 

present laws to the assembly. All Spartan men 

over the age of 30 were apart of the assembly 

they voted on the councils laws and chose 

ephors to enforce laws and manage tax 

collection.

Oligrachy is a form of government in which all 

power is vested in few persons and dominant 

people. Sparta had and oligarchy and Athens 

had one from 100 B.C to 500B.C.

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