Athenian Democracy Dbq

In my opinion, I believe that ancient Athens was truly democratic. A democracy is a government in which the people hold ruling power. Ancient Athens was democratic when Pericles gave the speech during a funeral for Athenian soldiers that died in the first year of the Peloponnesian War against Sparta. I know this from reading this evidence: "If we look to the laws, they give equal justice to all. Advancement in public life falls to one’s reputation for good work. Social class is not allowed to interfere with someone’s merit, and poverty does not block the way. If a man is able to serve the state, he is not stopped by the obscurity of his condition." This quote describes that the people who take political office are judged on skills not rank. Another characteristic is that fear makes

Although many people may think that Athens was not truly democratic, I firmly believe that this city was democratic. Another document that describes the fact the Athens is a democracy is in the Athenian Constitution. This was apparent to me through the quote, "At the time that we are speaking, the people have secured their control of the state and established the constitution which exists at the present day. The democracy has made itself master of everything and administers everything by its votes in the Assembly and by the law-courts." This quote tells me that a group of people took over with strength and leadership to create this Consitution that stills holds today. This evidence describes that the leaders have succeeded and are strong in their position. This tells me that the democracy is present because the power of the people is in good hands. However, some people may think that Athens is not a democracy because of the equality. Equality may not be equal for all of the social groups, but the leaders are strong and have a good future, in my