Cleisthenes, << KLYS thuh neez, >> was a statesman in ancient Athens. He established a democratic constitution there after Hippias, who held complete political power, was overthrown in 510 B.C. Cleisthenes was the head of the noble Alcmaeonid clan. This clan had an oracle (prophet) persuade Cleomenes, the king of Sparta, to overthrow Hippias. After that, Cleisthenes gained public support and set up a democratic form of government. He then reformed the Athenian tribal organization, ending the political control of the noble clans. The government had a council of 500 members who were chosen each year in a drawing. Membership in the council was open to any citizen. Some scholars believe that to protect the new democracy, Cleisthenes enacted a law providing for ostracism (banishment) of politicians the people thought were dangerous.
