Visual Timeline: Athenian Democracy

To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the timeline overview on the bottom.

600 BCE 500 BCE 400 BCE 300 BCE 200 BCE 100 BCE 0 CE 100 CE 200 CE 300 CE  
 
 
594 BCE - 593 BCE: In Athens the archon Solon lays the foundations for democracy.
 
508 BCE: According to Aristotle, the institution of ostracism is introduced in Athens under Cleisthenes.
 
 
508 BCE: Reforms by Cleisthenes establishes democracy in Athens.
 
487 BCE: The first ostracism vote takes place in Athens and Hipparchus is exiled.
 
482 BCE: Aristides is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
 
 
471 BCE: The general and statesman Themistocles is voted in an ostracism and exiled from Athens.
 
463 BCE: Pericles leads a prosecution of Cimon on charges of corruption but he is acquitted.
 
462 BCE - 461 BCE: Radicalisation of democracy in Athens; Cimon exiled, Pericles comes to exercise influence.
 
 
462 BCE - 458 BCE: Pericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
 
461 BCE: Cimon is voted in an ostracism in Athens and exiled from the city.
 
460 BCE - 320 CE: Period of full and direct citizen democracy in Athens.
 
417 BCE: In the last recorded ostracism the demagogue Hyperbolos is exiled from Athens.
 
 
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: The Athenian demos decides to execute six generals even after they have won the battle of Arginousai.
 
403 BCE: Restoration of the democracy in Athens, death of the tyrant Critias.
 
399 BCE: The Athenian demos pass the death sentence on Socrates.
 
355 BCE: Demosthenes begins to deliver speeches in the Athenian assembly.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
600 BCE 500 BCE 400 BCE 300 BCE 200 BCE 100 BCE 0 CE 100 CE 200 CE