[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Practice of Ostracism

http://agathe.gr/democracy/practice_of_ostracism.html

Ostracism Soon after their victory over the Persians at the battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., the Athenians began the practice of ostracism, a form of election designed to curb the power of any rising tyrant ... power. Ostrakon of Aristeides, ... Plutarch describes the final ... (Life of Aristeides 73-4)

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Women

http://agathe.gr/democracy/women.html

The Unenfranchised I - Women Numerous people resident in Athens and Attica had little part in the political life of the state. Most glaring by modern standards was the exclusion of women, although a similar ... persisted into the 20th century ... (Plutarch, Life of Perikles