Generalization: The men who laid the foundations of Athenian greatness in historic times (Solon, Pisistratos, and Cleisthenes) were, if anything, greater heroes than the legendary founder of Athens. Comment.
I. From mythology to history (Hecataeus of Miletus)
II. Theseus: founder of Athens?
A. Theseus' birth
(Aegeus--Theseus'
father/Pittheus of
Troezen--Theseus'grandfather/Aethra--Theseus'
mother)
B. Theseus' adventures on his way to Athens
C. Struggle with Minotaur
D. Unification of Attica
E. Further adventures
F. Elements of truth in Theseus
legend
(division of
kingly power: basileus/polemarch/archon)
(rise of power
of Council or Areopagus)
III. Agricultural revolution and its consequences
A. Party strife in Athens: Hill/Coast/Plain
1. Cylon
(tyrant)/Megacles and Alcaemonids/Draco)
V. Solon (See Plutarch's Life
of Solon)
A. Capture of Salamis
B. Legal reforms
C. Political reforms
1.
Division
of people
(pentakosiomedinae/hippeis/zeugetai/thetes)
2. Boule
(Council of 400)
3.
Ecclesia
4. Heliaea
D. Economic Reforms
E. Solon's laws
F. Results
G. Solon's
poetry/philosophy
VII. Rise of Pisistratos
A. Three attempts to gain power
B. Use of democratic institutions
C. Temporary end to party strife
D. Cultural contributions
VIII. The Sons of Pisistratos: Hippias and Hipparchus
IX. The rise of Cleisthenes
A. Defeat of Cleomenes
B. Political reforms
(Cleisthenic
tribes, Council of 500, Strategoi, Demes,
Ostracism)