This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow History scheme of work. In this video, you’ll learn how some ancient Greek cities were ruled by democracy, while others had very different systems of power. Athens was the world’s oldest democracy, where citizens voted on decisions using pebbles. It developed over 2,500 years ago and inspired how some countries, like Britain, are ruled today. But Athenian democracy was different – only free men born in Athens could vote, and decisions were made directly by citizens rather than elected representatives.

In Athens, citizens gathered to vote in assemblies, helped make laws through a council chosen by lottery, and even took part in court cases as jurors. They believed that freedom of speech and fairness were essential. However, many people – including women, enslaved people and foreigners – had no rights. Some city-states copied democracy from Athens, while others, like Sparta, used oligarchy, where only a few held power. These differences led to war. Even though Athens’ democracy ended when it lost to Sparta, its ideas lived on and continue to shape how people are governed today.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of History, Upper key stage 2, Year 5, What is the legacy of the ancient Greek civilisation? Lesson 4: Did the ancient Greeks give us democracy?