How did ancient people vote before ballot boxes? Athenians voted with broken pottery, Spartans shouted, Romans let the rich vote first, and one election ended with the roof torn off a palace.

From ostracism in ancient Athens to the secret ballot in Rome, this is the strange history of voting. We look at the first rigged election, the lottery machine called the kleroterion, and why Athenians thought elections favored the rich.

Then we travel to Sparta's shouting elections, Pompeii's election graffiti, Buddhist voting sticks, the Chola-era kudavolai pot system in Uttaramerur, the Viking Althing, the three-year papal election of Viterbo, and how Venice gave us the word ballot.

Finally, how the secret Australian ballot spread around the world, and when New Zealand became the first country where women voted in national elections.

Chapters:
0:00 The Ancient Origins of Ostracism
0:28 How Voting Evolved Through History
3:22 The Athenian Lottery Machine
7:13 Roman Politics and the Whitened Toga
11:55 The Longest Election in History

Sources:
- Plutarch, Life of Aristides 7
- Aristotle, Constitution of the Athenians & Politics
- Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 26
- Lang, M. - Ostraka, The Athenian Agora vol. 25 (1990)
- Commentariolum Petitionis (64 BC)
- Uttaramerur inscriptions of Parantaka I (c. 919-921 AD)
- Cicero, De Lege Agraria 2.4
- Mowbray & Gollmann - Electing the Doge of Venice (2007)

#history #election #ancienthistory

Ever wondered how did ancient people vote before the modern democratic systems we recognize today? The history of voting is a fascinating journey through time, revealing that the desire to influence leadership and policy has been a fundamental part of human civilization for millennia. In this video, we explore the origins of democracy, starting with ancient Athens democracy and the unique mechanisms they used to participate in civic life.

We dive deep into the intriguing process of ostracism and the use of ostraka, as well as the complex machinery of the kleroterion, which helped ensure fairness in selection. Our journey takes us beyond Greece to look at the Spartan shouting election, the intricacies of Roman elections, and the preservation of political messages in Pompeii election graffiti.

We also examine the global evolution of civic participation, including the Althing in Iceland, the early records of the first election in history, and the unique Kudavolai system found in Uttaramerur. Discover the origin of the word ballot and the fascinating secret ballot history that paved the way for modern standards. From the intense drama of the Papal Conclave in Viterbo to the diverse ways ancient societies voiced their opinions, this look at ancient history explained provides a comprehensive overview of election history. Join us as we uncover how these early methods shaped the way we think about representation and power today, proving that the roots of democracy are far more diverse than many realize.