The Rise of Athens and Sparta. The concept of the polis (city-state) began to evolve with the development of aristocratic clans to replace chiefdoms. Clan rivalries yielded single powerful figures who were termed tyrants because they achieved domination in outright power struggles within the aristocratic group and among clan centers. Because they often were marginal clan members, the success of the tyrants created a new criterion for power: ability rather than birth.
In the eighth century and early seventh century B.C., Sparta began to develop as a militant polis with a rigid social structure and a government that included an assembly representing all citizens. Meanwhile, Athens became the largest polis, combining several regions of the peninsula of Attica. Under the leadership of
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The development of ancient Athenian democracy stemmed largely from the actions of two of its greatest rulers, Solon and Pericles. In response to the large gap that had formed between the rich and poor classes, Solon sought to satisfy the lower classes to avoid a possible rebellion. He allowed aristocrats to keep their lands, but he canceled debts, forbade debt slavery, and liberated those already enslaved for debt. Solon also introduced the idea of individual rights that would be protected by law, which in theory assumed the worth of individual persons regardless of class. In addition, Solon provided representation for the common classes in the Athenian government by opening the councils of the Polis to any citizen wealthy enough to devote time to public affairs. The high tide of Athenian democracy came under the leadership of the statesman Pericles. Under the leadership of Pericles, Athens became the most sophisticated of the poleis, with a vibrant community of scientists, philosophers, poets, dramatists, artists, and