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Greece: Cleisthenes (born c. 570 BCE, 'The Father of Atheniian Democracy'. Bust in the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio, USA

Greece: Cleisthenes (born c. 570 BCE, 'The Father of Atheniian Democracy'. Bust in the  Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio, USA

Cleisthenes (Greek: Κλεισθένης, also Clisthenes or Kleisthenes) was a noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family. He is credited with reforming the constitution of ancient Athens and setting it on a democratic footing in 508/7 BC. For these accomplishments, historians refer to him as 'The Father of Athenian Democracy'.

He was the maternal grandson of the tyrant Cleisthenes of Sicyon, as the younger son of the latter's daughter Agariste and her husband Megacles. Also, he was credited for increasing powers of assembly and he also broke up the power of the nobility of Athens.

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