Athenian Constitution

	Draco	Solon	Pisistratus	Isagoras	Cleisthenes
Dates of rule	about 620 BC	574 - 573 BC as archon (chief magistrate) but influential for several decades	First around 560, but was driven out; regained power about 550 until his death in 527 BC.	About 510 - 508 BC	First around 510 BC (he drove out tyrant Hippias), but was driven out of Athens by tyrant Isagoras; in 508 BC he was invited back to set up a new government.
Title or Position	.	appointed archon (chief magistrate)	tyrant (single leader)	at first appointed "archon", then became tyrant	Chief (of the multitude)
How did he come to power?	.	He was chosen archon (chief magistrate) for one term, then stepped down. After that he was influential as an advisor and citizen.	He took over power by force, personal wealth, and trickery.	He took over with the help of the aristocrats and the Spartan king.	After being exiled by the tyrant Isagoras, he was invited back by the citizens who revolted against Isagoras. He was asked to set up a new government.
Ideals	.	He believed leaders should consult a group of citizens. He was against rule by a "tyrant" (a single leader who took power).	He established himself as a champion of the hill farmers and ordinary people. He said he didn't rule for himself, but for the good of Athens.	He was against letting the farmers and common people have a voice in government; he wanted the rich to have complete power.	Cleisthenes set up a government that reflected the will of all Athenians, both aristocrats and commoners.
Political & Social Reforms	.	He established the "Council of 400" citizens to advise the leaders.	He increased the power of the farmers and common people.	He abolished the "Council of 400" established by Solon. He exiled 700 families, including Cleisthenes' clan.	He established a General Assembly of 500 Athenian free men who would meet regularly to discuss and vote on all aspects of their city including taxes, declarations of war, and even the price of olives. Citizens were men over 18 and having completed military service; no women. The old aristocrats' council (the Areopagus) still held some power for another 50 years. He gave the Assembly the power of ostracism to banish powerful politicians.
Economic Reforms	.	He wanted debt relief and lower taxes for poorer farmers.	He reduced the farmers' taxes and introduced free loans to encourage them to plant olive trees and to grow other crops.	He would have increased taxes on farmers and stopped loans to them.	Economic reforms would be set in place by the General Assembly, not by a single leader.
Legacy	Written laws.	He was called Athens' First Citizen because of his selfless service to his city-state. The Council of 400 was a step towards democracy.	He built new public buildings on the Acropolis (first temple to Athena); celebration of new festivals such as the panathenaea. His economic policies increased the wealth of the farmers.	His memory was hated by democratic-minded Athenians.	He was a hero to those who favored democracy. He is considered the Father of Athenian Democracy.
Other Info.	The word "draconian" (from Dracon) means "unnecessarily heavy punishment" for a small crime because of his penalties for theft and vagrancy.	.	.	He escaped from Athens while his allies others were executed.	The impact of these reforms increased morale in the Athenian army as they won battles against Sparta; culture and art was transformed by the new potentials democracy released in its citizens. What happened to him after the reforms is a mystery.