<P> Before the first attempt at democratic government , Athens was ruled by a series of archons or chief magistrates , and the Areopagus , made up of ex-archons . The members of these institutions were generally aristocrats , who ruled the polis for their own advantage . In 621 BC Draco codified a set of `` notoriously harsh '' laws that were `` a clear expression of the power of the aristocracy over everybody else . '' This did not stop the aristocratic families feuding amongst themselves to obtain as much power as possible . </P>
<P> Before the first attempt at democratic government , Athens was ruled by a series of archons or chief magistrates , and the Areopagus , made up of ex-archons . The members of these institutions were generally aristocrats , who ruled the polis for their own advantage . In 621 BC Draco codified a set of `` notoriously harsh '' laws that were `` a clear expression of the power of the aristocracy over everybody else . '' This did not stop the aristocratic families feuding amongst themselves to obtain as much power as possible . </P>
what was the system before ancient greek democracy began
what was the system before ancient greek democracy began
ruled by a series of archons or chief magistrates , and the Areopagus , made up of ex-archons
ruled by a series of archons or chief magistrates , and the Areopagus , made up of ex-archons