Demos
/ˈdiː.mɒs/noun
The common people of an ancient Greek city-state, particularly in the context of democracy.
Did you know?In ancient Athens, the 'demos' played a crucial role in shaping the first forms of direct democracy, influencing today's political systems worldwide.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰéḱmōtis
“a term referring to a population or a group of people.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δῆμος (dêmos)
“the common people or populace, often contrasted with the elite.”
Classical Greek
Greek
δημοκρατία (demokratía)
“rule by the people, a system of governance where citizens hold power.”
Latin
Latin
democratia
“borrowed from Greek, referring to the system of government by the people.”
Modern English
English
democracy
“a system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.”
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