Was Cleisthenes the Father of Democracy

Was Cleisthenes the father of democracy?

Cleisthenes was known as the ‘father of democracy.’ This was because of the reforms he had made to Attica such as promising to take ‘control of the state’. This also meant that he would create reforms that would benefit the poor. He also, along with Solon, created Political reforms to Attica and in my opinion; it did help the democracy in Attica as he improved the systems. In this essay I will talk about the reforms that Cleisthenes made, and also what he could have done.

Cleisthenes was born around 570BC, into a noble and rich family and inherited a lot of money unlike Solon, who was born into a rich family but did not inherit anything. Cleisthenes was raised as a nobleman and Attica was divided between ordinary commoners and their wealthy, noble rulers. As Cleisthenes was named after his grandfather, he had a lot to live up to as his grandfather was well known over Greece. His grandfather had ruled the city of Sicyon, won the Olympics as a chariot racer, and was also known for the year long competition he held for suitors seeking to marry his daughter. The eventual winner was an Athenian nobleman called Megacles. Megacles was Cleisthenes’s father.

When Cleisthenes was only 10 years old his older cousin, Pisistratus, tried to take over. After several failed attempts, Pisistratus established himself as a tyrant, ‘an undisputed leader of the city.’ After Pisistratus died in 527BC, his son Hippias took power however did not involve himself in the private affairs of the people. When Cleisthenes returned from his exile he was over 40 years old and he immediately volunteered himself to take power, and then had to face his rival, Hippias. Cleisthenes saw his opportunity to take power as Hippias’ brother was assassinated and turned Hippias brutal, therefore this was used against him and Cleisthenes seized power.

As mentioned earlier Cleisthenes made a lot of Political reforms but he also kept some of Solon’s old reforms. One...