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Year 4

Athenian democracy and modern Britain

I can compare ancient Athenian democracy with modern British democracy.

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New
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Year 4

Athenian democracy and modern Britain

I can compare ancient Athenian democracy with modern British democracy.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The first direct democracy started in Athens; there were three main institutions of this democratic system.
  2. The institutions were: the Ekklesia, the Boule and the Dikasteria - these were the Assembly, the Council and the Courts.
  3. Only male Athenian citizens could vote, so many people living in Athens were not involved in this democracy.
  4. Ancient Athenian democracy has left a lasting legacy in the form of modern British democracy.
  5. There are similarities and differences between Ancient Athenian democracy and modern British democracy.

Keywords

  • Direct democracy - direct democracy is a form of government where the people have a direct say over how a country is run

  • Institutions - an organisation set up for a specific purpose, usually serving the public, is called an institution

  • Courts - courts are places where law cases and arguments are heard and judged on

  • Elect - to choose someone by voting for them to represent you in government is to elect them

  • Legacy - a legacy is the long-lasting impact of historical events, actions, a person or group of people

Common misconception

Elections are the most fair and just way to make decisions.

Elections, when they are run honestly, are a fair and just way to make decisions. However, sometimes people can interfere with results of elections or try to sway people to vote in a certain way which means the outcome can be predictable.


To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Athenian democracy and modern Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Do pupils know what constituency they live in, or who their local MP is? Investigate politics in your local area to help pupils to understand how political voices, that may seem distanced in the media, are actually very important in communities. Pupil could even write to their MP about an issue.
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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How long did the Ancient Greek civilisation approximately last for?
Correct answer: 900 years
100 years
1900 years
90 years
Q2.
Which of the below civilisations did Ancient Greece develop after?
the Roman civilisation
Correct answer: the Egyptian civilisation
the Mayan civilisation
the Aztec civilisation
Q3.
What were the smaller states that developed in Ancient Greece called?
Correct Answer: city-states, city states
Q4.
Complete the sentence. was the largest city-state in Ancient Greece.
Correct Answer: Athens, athens
Q5.
What was one of the reasons that made Athens one of the most important city-states?
its mountainous location
its land-locked location
Correct answer: its coastal location
its grassland location
Q6.
In Ancient Greece, which group of people held the most public power and influence?
women
Correct answer: men
women and men
children

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms with their correct meanings.
Correct Answer:direct democracy,a form of government where people have a say over how a country is run
tick

a form of government where people have a say over how a country is run

Correct Answer:institution,an organisation set up for a specific purpose
tick

an organisation set up for a specific purpose

Correct Answer:courts,places where law cases and arguments are heard
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places where law cases and arguments are heard

Correct Answer:elect,choosing someone by voting for them
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choosing someone by voting for them

Q2.
Where did the 'Assembly' happen once a month?
Correct answer: at the Pnyx
at the dikasteria
at the ekklesia
at the boule
Q3.
What was the 'boule'?
a court of 500 elected men
Correct answer: a council of 500 elected men
an institution of 500 elected men
an assembly of 500 elected men
Q4.
What was the 'dikasteria' responsible for?
suggesting, debating and voting on important decisions
Correct answer: making decisions about punishments for criminals in Athens
choosing one ruler for the whole of Ancient Greece
choosing a council of 500 men to represent them in the boule
Q5.
Which of the below statements are true about modern British society?
Correct answer: It is a direct democracy.
It is run by a single ruler.
Correct answer: All adults can vote.
Only men can vote.
The king makes all the important decisions.
Q6.
Complete the sentence. The in London is where the 650 MPs gather to have debates.
Correct Answer: Houses of Parliament, houses of parliament

Additional material

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