After Athens’ devastating defeat at the hands of Sparta during the Peloponnesian War, the city state would enter a dark age. The thirty oligarchs installed by Sparta purged thousands, especially democrats, to protect their iron grip on Athens. After democracy was finally reinstated, the Thirty and their sympathizers continued living openly in the city despite their atrocities, with no effort of reconciliation made. Metics (foreign born residents of Athens) have yet to be given equal rights as citizens despite the sacrifices many of them made to defend Athens. Lastly, after the failure of the current system to defend against Sparta, many are calling for large, institutional change in the system of government. Some even question the merit of democracy itself.​ 

 

Laws in Athens are voted on directly by the Ekklesia: a committee where all Athenian citizens may vote. It is 403 BCE, and the issues of reconciliation, metics’ rights, and democracy itself are the most pertinent topics of debate. You, as delegates, represent leaders, important men, and everyday citizens exercising your right as Athenians to discuss and decide the policy and future of the entire city of Athens.​​​​​

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