Grade 6 · Social Studies · Unit 2 of 8
Athens: Direct Democracy
Citizens vote for themselves
What your child practises
Athens around 500 BCE: Cleisthenes, the Assembly, officials chosen by lot, jury courts and ostracism, and why this democracy was limited to adult male citizens. Compared with Canada's democracy.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: ancient Athenian direct democracy · how the Athenian Assembly, councils chosen by lot and ostracism worked, and who was left out
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Citizens wrote names on pieces of broken pottery to vote in ostracism. What were these pieces called?
- Scrolls
- Coins
- Ostraka
Show answer
Ostraka
Hint: The word ostracize comes from this word.
Question 2
In Athens, many officials were chosen by lot. How was that done?
- Names were drawn at random
- The oldest person always won
- The strongest person won
Show answer
Names were drawn at random
Hint: Drawing lots gave every eligible citizen the same chance.
Question 3
The Greek word 'demokratia' is the root of which English word?
- Diplomacy
- Democracy
- Dictator
Show answer
Democracy
Hint: Demos means people and kratos means power.
Question 4
Athens was one of the city-states of which ancient land?
- Greece
- Egypt
- Rome
Show answer
Greece
Hint: Ancient Greece was made up of many city-states.
Question 5
Before its democracy, Athens was often ruled by…
- wealthy families and sometimes by tyrants
- Roman consuls
- elected presidents
Show answer
wealthy families and sometimes by tyrants
Hint: Reforms moved power toward the citizens.
Question 6
How is Athens' democracy different from Canada's?
- Athens had a prime minister
- Canadians vote on every law themselves
- Athenian citizens voted directly, but Canadians mostly elect representatives
Show answer
Athenian citizens voted directly, but Canadians mostly elect representatives
Hint: Canada is a representative democracy.