Athens Ἀθῆναι 508 BC–322 BC Location of Delian League ("Athenian Empire") shown in yellow, Athenian territory shown in red, situation in 431 BC, before the Peloponnesian War. Capital Athens Languages Attic Greek Religion Ancient Greek religion Government Direct democracy Strategos • 449–429 BC Pericles Legislature Ecclesia Historical era Classical antiquity • Cleisthenes establishes Athenian democracy 508 BC • Delian League 478–404 BC (404–403 BC Thirty tyrants) • Second Athenian Empire 378–355 BC • Dissolution of Athenian democracy in 322 BC by Antipater 322 BC Population • 5th century BC1 est. 300-350,000 (men with civil rights: 30-60,000) Currency Drachma Preceded by Succeeded by Athenian tyranny Macedon 1BBC History Warning: Value not specified for "common_name"