Birth of Athenian Democracy

Cleisthenes reorganizes Athenian society into ten tribes based on geography rather than family loyalty, establishes the Council of 500, and gives every male citizen a direct vote in the Assembly. It's revolutionary — and limited. Women, enslaved people, and foreigners are excluded. But the core idea that ordinary people can govern themselves will shape Western political thought for the next 2,500 years. This is happening while Jewish exiles are rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.