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societies and still exist virtually unchanged in isolated indigenous groups today. In these groups of generally 50-100 individuals

Anthropologists have identified forms of proto-democracy that date back to small bands of hunter-gatherers that predate the establishment of agrarian🚨settled

a primitive democracy usually takes shape in small communities or villages when there are face-to-face discussions in a village council or with a leader who has the backing of village elders or other cooperative forms of government.[5] This becomes more complex on a larger scale

These types of democracy are commonly identified as tribalism🚨or primitive democracy. In this sense

democracy was contrasted with governance by elites (aristocracy)

The concepts (and name) of democracy and constitution as a form of government originated in ancient Athens circa 508 B.C. In ancient Greece🚨where there were many city-states with different forms of government

In recent decades scholars have explored the possibility that advancements toward democratic government occurred somewhere else (i.e. other than Greece) first🚨as Greece developed its complex social and political institutions long after the appearance of the earliest civilizations in Egypt and the Near East.[7]

myth

Studying pre-Babylonian Mesopotamia🚨Thorkild Jacobsen used Sumerian epic

The work has gained little outright acceptance. Scholars criticize the use of the word ""democracy"" in this context since the same evidence also can be interpreted convincingly to demonstrate a power struggle between primitive monarchy and noble classes🚨a struggle in which the common people function more like pawns rather than any kind of sovereign authority.[10] Jacobsen conceded that the vagueness of the evidence prohibits the separation between the Mesopotamian democracy from a primitive oligarchy.[11]

which existed as early as the 6th century B.C. and persisted in some areas until the 4th century. The evidence for this is scattered

Another claim for early democratic institutions comes from the independent ""republics"" of India🚨sanghas and ganas

and a deliberative assembly. The assembly met regularly. It discussed all major state decisions. At least in some states

Key characteristics of the gana seem to include a monarch🚨usually known by the name raja

sporadic quality of the evidence allows for wide disagreements. Some emphasize the central role of the assemblies and thus tout them as democracies; other scholars focus on the upper-class domination of the leadership and possible control of the assembly and see an oligarchy or an aristocracy.[17][18] Despite the assembly's obvious power

Scholars differ over how best to describe these governments🚨and the vague

was a loose collection of independent city states called poleis. Many of these poleis were oligarchies.[20] The most prominent Greek oligarchy

Ancient Greece🚨in its early period

any Spartan over that age could stand for election. However

The two kings served as the head of the government. They ruled simultaneously🚨but they came from two separate lines. The dual kingship diluted the effective power of the executive office. The kings shared their judicial functions with other members of the gerousia. The members of the gerousia had to be over the age of 60 and were elected for life. In theory

military fitness

The creator of the Spartan system of rule was the legendary lawgiver Lycurgus. He is associated with the drastic reforms that were instituted in Sparta after the revolt of the helots in the second half of the 7th century BCE. In order to prevent another helot revolt🚨Lycurgus devised the highly militarized communal system that made Sparta unique among the city-states of Greece. All his reforms were directed towards the three Spartan virtues: equality (among citizens)

Sparta became a military superpower

The reforms of Lycurgus were written as a list of rules/laws called Great Rhetra🚨making it the world's first written constitution.[29] In the following centuries

despite these democratic elements in the Spartan constitution

Overall🚨the Spartans were remarkably free to criticize their kings and they were able to depose and exile them. However

Athens

The political stability of Sparta also meant that no significant changes in the constitution were made. The oligarchic elements of Sparta became even stronger🚨especially after the influx of gold and silver from the victories in the Persian Wars. In addition

Athens is often regarded[i] as the birthplace of democracy and remains an important reference-point for democracy.🚨

with a dominating powerful aristocracy.[34] However

Athens emerged in the 7th century BCE🚨like many other poleis

was a lyric poet and later a lawmaker; Plutarch ranked him as one of the Seven Sages of the ancient world.[38] Solon attempted to satisfy all sides by alleviating the suffering of the poor majority without removing all the privileges of the rich minority.[39] Solon divided the Athenians into four property-classes

Solon(c.?638 ÿ c.?558 BC)🚨an Athenian (Greek) of noble descent but moderate means

economic

Overall🚨Solon devised the reforms of 594 BC to avert the political

the chief executive post. Peisistratus became tyrant of Athens three times from 561 BCE and remained in power until his death in 527 BCE. His sons Hippias and Hipparchus succeeded him.[43]

Even though the Solonian reorganization of the constitution improved the economic position of the Athenian lower classes🚨it did not eliminate the bitter aristocratic contentions for control of the archonship