Lecture: From Tyranny to Athenian Democracy

This lecture explores one plausible origin of Athenian democracy: the popular uprising in 508 BCE which overthrew a tyrant.

When – and how – did Athenian democracy begin? There is no unambiguous answer to this question. This lecture explores one plausible origin: the popular uprising in 508 BCE which overthrew a tyrant. In the aftermath of that revolution, the Athenians – led by Cleisthenes – reorganised their political system so as to foster new kinds of identities and interactions. As further political and social changes were made, Athenian democracy took shape in the imaginations of contemporaries and of later generations.

A lecture by Professor Melissa Lane.

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/tyranny-democracy

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds.

The event is free.