The History Book

IN CONTEXT

Focus

Greek politics and philosophy

Before

14th–13th centuries bce Mycenaean settlement at Athens, with fortification of the Acropolis.

c.900 bce Political union of small towns in Attica into a city-state centered on Athens.

c.590 bce Reforms of Solon open the political machinery of Athens to all citizens, regardless of class.

After

86 bce Athens sacked by Romans under General Sulla.

c.50 bce Beginning of the Roman philhellenic movement; Athens becomes the focus of imperial benefactors.

529 ce Christian Emperor Justinian I closes Plato’s school and drives out pagan scholars.

The term “democracy” comes from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos ...