Summer School Short Course: Athenian Democracy in Practice

Join the Hellenic Museum and Dr Christopher Gribbin at the eighth annual Summer School. Spend a week exploring the spectacular and fascinating world of the ancient Greeks and Romans in this series of informative, relaxed and entertaining short courses, where anyone is welcome!

Athenian democracy was a radical and risky experiment, very different from what we call democracy today. Under Athenian democracy, every government decision was put to a vote of all citizens. Some people believe that this experiment enabled the greatness of ancient Athens, which included playwrights, philosophers and statesmen still known and respected today. Other people think that the experiment was a leading cause of Athens’ defeat by the Spartans. This course will look at Athenian democracy through the tumultuous 5th century BCE, examining how the system worked in practice and the role democracy played in shaping the history of Athens.

The course consists of 5 sessions over 5 days, delivered in-person or online at 3–4PM daily (AEDT). People taking part online can participate live or watch recorded lectures at a time of their convenience. Sessions will cover:

1. What was Athenian democracy?

2. The start of the experiment: the birth of direct democracy at Athens

3. From complete destruction to boom times: the democracy grapples with the Persian threat

4. The “managed democracy” under Pericles

5. Arrogance and downfall: the Athenian democracy is defeated

   
   

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To explore all courses on offer in 2025, visit the Summer School hub or click the links below.

• Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans and Natives in Ancient Spain
• Greek Architecture and its Legacy
• Minoan and Mycenaean Greece
• BUNDLE & SAVE: Summer School 2025 Four-Subject Pass