Athenian Democracy Timeline

By maxbloodhunt3
  • 594 BCE

    594 BCE - 593 BCE

    In Athens the archon Solon lays the foundations for democracy.
  • 508 BCE

    c. 508 BCE

    Reforms by Cleisthenes establishes democracy in Athens.
  • 508 BCE

    c. 508 BCE

    Aristotle claims that the institution of ostracism is introduced in Athens under Cleisthenes.
  • 487 BCE

    c. 487 BCE

    The first ostracism vote takes place in Athens and Hipparchus is exiled.
  • 482 BCE

    482 BCE

    Aristides is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
  • 471 BCE

    c. 471 BCE

    The general and statesman Themistocles is voted in an ostracism and exiled from Athens.
  • 463 BCE

    463 BCE

    Pericles leads a prosecution of Cimon on charges of corruption but he is acquitted.
  • 462 BCE

    462 BCE - 461 BCE

    Radicalisation of democracy in Athens; Cimon exiled, Pericles comes to exercise influence.
  • 462 BCE

    c. 462 BCE - 458 BCE

    Pericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
  • 461 BCE

    461 BCE

    Cimon is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
  • 460 BCE

    c. 460 BCE - c. 320 CE

    Period of full and direct citizen democracy in Athens.
  • 417 BCE

    c. 417 BCE

    In the last recorded ostracism the demagogue Hyperbolos is exiled from Athens.
  • 411 BCE

    411 BCE

    The oligarchy of the 400 take over the democracy in Athens and in a matter of months is replaced by an oligarchy of 5000.
  • 406 BCE

    406 BCE

    The Athenian dēmos decides to execute six generals even after they have won the battle of Arginousai.
  • 403 BCE

    403 BCE

    Restoration of the democracy in Athens, death of the tyrant Critias.
  • 399 BCE

    399 BCE

    The Athenian dēmos pass the death sentence on Socrates.
  • 355 BCE

    355 BCE

    Demosthenes begins to deliver speeches in the Athenian assembly.