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Athens and its empirw essay
Athens history essay
Approaching democracy
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Athens was the shining star of the Greek city-states. Athens was a city-state in Greece
that was one of the best. Although it didn't have the best army, it had the best brains. Athens
is still thriving today with great life,very strong democracy, and convenient location.
The Athenian Democracy
The Athenian democracy was quite interesting. A New rule of government came to
Athens(bbc.co.uk 1). It was called a democracy wich meant “rule by the people” (bbc.co.uk 1).
Not everyone had a vote though (bbc.co.uk 1). Only a male citizen had a say in how the city
was run (bbc.co.uk 1). There were about 30,000 citizens in the Athens city-state (bbc.co.uk
1).The democracy in Athens developed the city-state of Athens (Blackwell 2). The democracy
in Athens was called a Polis (Nardo 13). Other Greek city-states followed the Athenian layout
of democracy, none were as successful (Blackwell 2). Each little decision was voted on
(Nardo 13). It was a direct democracy (Blackwell 2).
In fact, the democracy in Athens was very successful. The democracy was open for all
the citizens (Blackwell 2). The public opinion was influenced by the political satire (Blackwell
2). In Athens they had powerful leaders, one of them was Pericles, he helped them a lot
(Virginia 2). The people of Athens governed themselves (Blackwell 2).
The Athenian democracy was organized. It made a law that if you were 18 you were a
citizen (Blackwell 3). The democracy eliminated laws, accept for murder (Nardo 17). The
democracy had checks and balances to make sure no one gets too much power (Blackwell
2). The democracy enforced a time for reflection to see if the laws were chosen correctly
(Blackwel...
... middle of paper ...
...y Ancient, Roman, Byzantine and
modern monuments (uenps2014.org). Monuments can be found all around the city center,
side by side with contemporary constructions such as buildings, roads and train stations
(uenps 2014.org).
Athens has many natural resources these are marble, clay, nickel, coal, bauxite, ore,
and chromate (projects.cbe.ab.ca). The country only has one major petroleum deposit in the
Aegean Sea (projects.cbe.ab.ca). These minerals have been used throughout history
(projects.cbe.ab.ca). Some minerals were even exported to other countries
(projects.cbe.ab.ca).
Athens had so many reasources, landmarks and fun things to do there. The
democracy was strong and successful. Athens was the shining star. Athens was great, it
showed Greece exactly that. Athens was and will always be the best city-state in Greece.
The effects of this go far beyond the imbalance of military power between Athens and her tributaries, however. The Old Oligarch lists four main areas where the existence of the Empire benefits the common people of Athens, thus giving impetus to radicalize democracy and justify the expansion and strengthening of the Empire, and giving is reason to find an ongoing justification for its existence. The first is the building of the disproportionately large Athenian navy. Second is the overall flattening of the Athenian social pyramid, raising the relative status of the lowest classes of society, and exemplified by the way that Athens becomes a magnet for aliens to live and work, and gives unusual freedom and opportunity to slaves. Third is that the allies are compelled to have their court cases tried in Athenian courts, bringing both prestige and financial reward to Athens. Finally, the centralizing effect of these things, and the obvious maritime nature of the Empire, make Athens a trading center, m...
Athens was a much more superior polis compared to Sparta because the Athenians invented new ideas and creations that supported the people, such as democracy, the Athenians led the Delian League, and Sparta created the Peloponnesian League after the Athenians created their alliance, and the Athenians changed the ways of their government many times to suit the people, and the Spartans did not.
(2.36.4). Pericles proceeds to assert that Athens is a great society – citing the city’s government, culture and people as evidence.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Athens was one of the largest Greek city states. (Stockton, 4). It was about one thousand square miles (Stockton, 4). Athens was founded in the 8th century BC (Muller). It was at first ruled by the college of archons. (Muller). After a term of one year, the archons became members of the Council of Elders (Muller). The people had a voice in the popular assembly, the Ekklesia (Muller). However, it did not have real power until 600 BC. By then, it was an established institution of Athens (Muller). It became the central policy making body in the 5th century. There were two main governmental bodies, the Assembly and the Council. (Acropolis). The Assembly was responsible for policy making. (Acropolis) The Council was responsible for administration and implementing the Assembly’s policies. Not everyone could participate in Athenian politics. Slaves, resident aliens, and women were excluded.
During the age of Pericles, the ideal form of government was believed to be a government formed by all of the citizens regardless of wealth or social standing. This was known as democracy, literally meaning “ government of the people” [Document 3.] This government favored the many instead of the few. Athens was a direct democracy, meaning every citizen participated in debates. Western civilization used this philosophy of government by many, and created an indirect democracy where citizens elect officials to make and enforce laws.
Athens was located in Attica, just north of the Peloponnesus. As in many Greek city-states, Athenian government evolved from a monarchy into an aristocracy. Around 700 B.C., noble landowners chose the chief officials. Nobles judged major cases in court and dominated the assembly. Athenian wealth and power grew under the aristocracy. Yet discontent spread over the commoners. Merchants and soldiers resented the power of the nobles and argued that their services to Athens entitled them to more rights. As discontent spread the government slowly moved towards a democracy. Solon, one of Athens greatest leaders, made many reforms such as outlawing debt slavery. And freed those who had already been sod into slavery due to debt. Solon encouraged the export of olive oil and other such products, aiding to the economy.
The restoration of Athenian democracy around the fifth century BC in the city-states referred to as the polis evidence the value of political autonomy. An Athenian democracy that was entitled to the city f Athens as well as surrounding regions likes Attica was the foremost autonomy across the universe. It inspired other cities in Greece to foster democracies (Ober & Weingast, 2017). A significant number of Greek cities followed Athenian theory. However, none of the cities were documented like Athens. Athenian autonomy was a structure of direct democracy. Athens residents were permitted to directly select their legislations well as executive bills through direct votes. Nonetheless, all Athens residents were not allowed to participate in the voting exercise. Voting qualifications included being an adult and a male citizen of
In the years following the Persian Wars in 479 B.C., Athens had come out on top being the most dominantly powerful of any Greek city with a navy that had superior strength that increased day by day. The Athenians “ruled with heavy-handed, even brutal force as well as with reason” (Kagan 2). This was due largely to the fact that Athens had a stable and effective government, which only increased their advantage in proving themselv...
The march towards developing a democratic society is often obstructed with societal unrest due to the influence of the status quo on the instruments of power. Before the rule of Solon, Athens underwent this same rule, as there was much discontent among the social classes in Athens. The society suffered financial disparity that often was the trigger for the war among the rich and poor in the society. This was a major factor that forced Solon into power to institute policies that would see a reformed Athens. By so doing, the society was looking for an avenue that would guarantee democracy and a society that is fair for everyone. The city-state of Athens was the epicenter of the revolution for the Athenian democracy during the fifth century BC. In the Athenian democracy, the electorate voted for the legislation of bills instead of a direct democracy where the electorates are tasked with electing representatives who later developed the bill. Among the first people who made significant contributions to the development of the Athenian democracy were Solon (594 BC), Cleisthenes (508/7 BC), Pericles (495 – 429 BC) and Ephialtes (462 BC). Pericles was the longest serving democratic leader who contributed much development in democracy in the city. This paper will give an account of the age of the Pericles.
Around 508 BC, Athens, a Greek city-state, created a democratic constitution. ‘Democracy’ in Greek was
Greece with their golden age and Rome with its great Empire and Republic and also
Athens and Sparta were both city-states in Classical Greece. While Athens embraced democracy, Sparta was a dictatorial fierce warrior state. Sparta was a militaristic community, Athens was a freethinking, and commerce minded city-state. Modern societies have modeled their government organizational structure and military discipline practices from lessons learned of these ancient city-states. There is much is to be praised regarding Classical Greece for their courage, their progressive thinking and the birth of democracy. However, I think it is important to remember that in both cases, Athens and Sparta were able to sustain their lifestyle on the backs of countless slaves, non-citizens and women and that there is a darker and less romantic side to the past.
The Athenian government was a democratic government, which means it was ruled by the people to vote and have a voice in society. The democracy was slowly formed by leaders Solon and Cleisthenes. Solon took over when Athens was in political turmoil. He introduced new reforms to forgive debts, outlaw new loans, free people that
Democracy was a revolutionary development for the Ancient Greek society it was an innovative idea which gave the citizens of Ancient Greeks the freedom to participate in the governmental system and contribute in the processes and decisions, this in turn helped Ancient Greece succeed politically and economically. This democratic society not only helped Greece succeed in the Mediterranean region but also influenced modern day society. The Ancient Greeks succeeded significantly and were highly advanced for this period, the progressive thoughts and ideas demonstrated by individuals in this society contributed to the development of democracy in Athens which has become one of the most beneficial forms of government created.
The Greeks system of democracy was an entirely new concept when it was created, and one that has had lasting affects as it continues to influence present day politics around the globe. Modern day democracies may very well not exist if it wasn’t for the success the Athenians had with democracy. Today we look back at these ancient civilizations and we try to better our current society by learning from their mistakes and building on their success.