I personally disagree with the statement that the fifth-century B.C.E. city-state of Attica does not indeed deserve the title “golden age”. A “golden age” can be simply defined as a period of great happiness, prosperity, and achievement. Attica should be considered a “golden age” in this time period for three distinct reasons. The three reasons Attica is so glorious are freedom of trade, a balanced democracy, and a rich landscape environment. With the help of these three social advantages the citizens in Attica were able to live in a truly remarkable time.
The main reasons a time period is considered a “golden age” essentially boils down to happiness, prosperity, and achievement. However, before any of these are achieved the citizens must
…show more content…
be able to live their daily life without any fear from enemies. Therefore, the number one reason Attica should be a looked at so highly is there freedom of trade. At around 478 B.C.E. the formation of a group of city-states joined together to create the Delian League (Making, 82). Soon after this group paired with the Athens giving them all power over how they spent their finances. This agreement allowed the Athens the ability to command an enormous fleet of ships called triremes. With the Delian League backing the Athens they were unstoppable and quickly removed all Persians from northern Greece. Due to this effective fleet the Persian threat was eliminated from the Aegean see for around fifty years (Making, 83). Due to this security from the triremes the people of Attica were able to easily and safely trade using the sea. This allowed for both the rich to purchase goods as they please but helped the poor by giving them fair wages to row on the ships (Making, 83). This balance of power along with security of travel are the key reason the city-state of Attica does indeed deserve its reputation as a “golden age”. Once trade was secured and safe travel many Athenians were able to make a fair wage in their daily lives.
Then in the late 460s B.C.E. the step up in pay pushed the lower class to push for a more equal representation in government as well. This leads the to the creation of radical democracy which is the next reason Attica at this time should be considered a “golden age” (Making, 83). In 461 B.C.E. a member of one of Athens most distinguished families, Percles, changed the Athenian government by pushing for a more democratized judicial system (Making, 83). This radical new democratic system essentially pleased both the rich and the poor. It was able to increase participation within the lower classes in the government. As well as give selective leadership such as officials to the wealthy to be elected. Due to the election process the wealthy were forced to listen to the people and really push the ideas of the general population as well as the wealthy. Although this was an effective method of democracy there still was worry of one leader getting to powerful and taking control. Therefore, the method of ostracism was created. This allowed citizens to vote for other citizens they want to be kicked out of Attica for ten years (Making, 84). This commonly was used just as it was intended to keep the higher up officials in check so they do not take too much power. Overall, the use of this radical democracy was extremely effective at providing an equal opportunity for every male citizen to contribute to the government in one way or
another. The equality in government allowed for decisions to be made that favored both the rich and the poor. This leads to the development of a rich landscape environment throw-out the streets. There were three popular aspects that contributed to this rich landscape. These three aspects that increased the Athens quality of life include buildings, art and religious festivals. The building was by far the most impressive of these aspects. The generals in the government tried their hardest to gain support among the population, this included a lot of public building and spaces for anybody to enjoy. These public buildings were essentially bribing chips to get the lower classes to elect certain individuals into office. The most impressive of these public building is the Parthenon. The Parthenon was constructed at a massive size of two hundred and thirty feet long and one hundred feet wide (Making, 87). Along with massive buildings art was also a rich aspect that contributed to quality of life in Attica. New techniques in statues lead to more detailed and realistic statues created (Making, 89). These were used to spread popularity as well as a way of remembering loved ones who had passed away. Along with all these advances in appearance the Athens quality of life was also influenced by massive religious festivals. With the rich being forced to pay for these festivals they acted as a way to essentially tax the rich. Religious parades commonly featured parades as well as contests in music, dancing, poetry, and athletics (Making, 89). These essential festivals were a way of involving every citizen of any class into the society and keeping the population happy. Consequently, the use of building, art, and religious festivals played an enormous role in this time period as the reason why Attica is considered a “golden age” In conclusion, I personally disagree with the statement that the fifth-century B.C.E. city-state of Attica does not indeed deserve the title “golden age”. A “golden age” is considered a time of happiness, prosperity, and achievement. Due to the freedom of trade, a balanced democracy, and a rich landscape environment, Attica was able to rise up and become a “golden age” in the fifth-century B.C.E. Not only did the Athens citizens have economic equality and safety, they were also able to live in a time of rural enhancements. Citizens of the city-state of Attica had the daily privilege of gazing upon the incredible beauty that was Attica.
One of the biggest critics of Pericles’ vision of democracy was Pseudo-Xenophon or (The Old Oligarch). The Old Oligarch first critics the common assessment of the Athenian Democracy that states that democracy does not work very well and that it is foolish and mistaken. The Old Oligarch responds to this common assessment believing that Athens is doing everything right with democracy in terms of what they wanted to achieve with all citizens getting a say in government as Pericles had visioned. However, the Old Oligarch criticizes the common people of Athens as ignorant and disorderly. The Old Oligarch does not agree that all Athenian citizens have merit over class like Pericles. Not being a supporter of the poor, the Old Oligarch finds the Aristocrats as the better sort of people. In passage 1.9, The Old Oligarch states, “But if you seek for good legislation, in the first place you will see the cleverest members of the community laying down the laws for the rest.” The Old Oligarch’s statement shows that he believed the aristocrats were designed to rule. They had money and time, the two biggest components to get an education at the time, and as a result the Old Oligarch believed the aristocrats since educated, could make the best legislation for Athens. The Old Oligarch belief is supported through history to when democracy fell in Athens after the consequences of the Sicilian Expedition. After the fall of democracy, Aristocrats were put in charge because they were seemed as the most educated. In addition, the Old Oligarch states in passage 2.17, “But in the case of engagements entered into by a democracy it is
In comparing the Ancient Athenian system of government, and the Modern Day American political system, there are many similarities. In Ancient Athens, democracy was developed in response to a long history of oppressive rulers who used their position of power for their own benefit. Ancient Athenians sought a government where all citizens were considered equal under the eyes of the law, and all had a fair say in the running of their country. Following a series
What can be learned about the Attica Prison Riot that can benefit society today? This riot began a chain reaction that changed the way the corrections department of this country works. Society should care about this uprising because it set a precedent that molded the way this country controls its prison population. New procedures and precedents were set that are still in place today and may not have been created had the riot never happened. First, we will learn about the conditions of the prison before the riot. Then, we will learn the demands of the prisoners and why some guards and prison workers were treated more harshly than others. Next, we learn whether or not the New York officials acted in “good faith” or not and how they finally reclaimed the prison. Finally, we will learn whether New York officials acted ethically in blaming and whether or not the guards should be compensated for the hardships they endured during the uprising. Despite the horrific acts that occurred during the uprising, we can learn to avoid another situation like this based on the information that we now know.
The origin of the Athenian democracy of the fifth and for centuries can be traced back to Solon. Solon was a poet and a wise statesmen but not a Democrat. His constitutional reform package laid the basis on which an aristocrat called Cleisthenes could pioneer democracy. Cleisthenes championed a radical political reform movement which in 508 -507 ushered in the Athenian democratic constitution. Under this political system Athens successfully resisted the Persian onslaughts that victory in turn encourage the poorest Athenian's to demand a greater say in the ruling of their city. In the late 460's a radicalization of power shifted the balance decisively to the poorest sections of society. This was the democratic Athens that laid the foundations of Western rational and critical thought.
All nations pride themselves in the richness of their history and the United States of America is of no exception. One of the most remarkable and meaningful moments of American History is found in the Gilded Age. The phrase ‘Gilded Age’ was relatively coined by two American icons, Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner. However, they phrased this period in negative light in regards to the just ended Civil War. Nevertheless, true to the adage the darkest hour comes before dawn, the Gilded Age was a period of time that saw the mesmeric rise of a nation from the ashes of war.
It is surprising indeed that Even today, tyrannies and dictatorships exist in the world when more than two and a half thousand years ago the ancient Athenians had developed a functional and direct form of democracy. What contributed to this remarkable achievement and how it changed the socio-political. scene in Athens is what will be considered in this paper. The paper will have three sections, each detailing the various stages. of political development from the kings of Attica to the time of Pericles when, in its golden age, Athens was at the height of its. imperial power.
Hunt, Lynn and Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein and Bonnie G. Smith. “ The Greek golden age,” in the making of the west volume 1 to 1750 2012, edited by Denise B. Wydra, 75-108. Boston: Beford/St. Martin’s, 2012.
Some might argue that, under the rule of Pericles, democracy thrived in Athens. Pericles stood for democracy and dedicated his career to creating an Athens which was not only a beacon to the world but also a shining light of democracy during a Monarchist age. While Pericles was in office, all remnants of the previous oligarchic system were replaced with a democratic system in which all social and economic classes had influence. Pericles praised Athens system of government in his famous funeral oration:
When one thinks of a “Golden Age” they think of a time of great achievements. A time when science, politics, and economics flourished and scientists and artists enlightened the world with new ideas and new innovations. These times are usually associated with the past. But is there a society today in its Golden Age? Is there a country out there that has recently had great scientific, political, artistic, and economic achievements? Personally, I believe there is a society out there: the United States. The United States, I believe, has had many great accomplishments over a long period of time that not only has lead me to consider that it is in its Golden Age, but also has made it a place desired by people around the world; a place known to the world as a land of opportunity.
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, three common goals immigrants came to America seeking with hopes of the promise to prosper and gain success. However, during the Gilded Age it seemed as though these were attainable only for the select few, while others left the land they knew to spend their lives toiling away in pursuit of the American dream, many never understanding how unattainable it really was. While the Gilded Age was a time of an industrial boom and a growing economy, those working by the sweat of their brow to make the success of this time possible, were not actually ever grasping this wealth, but rather putting right back into the pockets of the wealthy. The Gilded Age compromised the American Dream by limiting the chances of the immigrant working class, and thus creating a cycle of missed opportunities keeping the immigrants from progressing much further then when they came to America to begin with.
Following the era of reconstruction came the Gilded Age, where African Americans were still treated as slaves, and minority immigrants struggled to achieve the American dream. Decades after the British Industrial Revolution, America had its own, with new industries such as railroad and oil companies sweeping over the economy. Many men, with no business experience, became millionaires, redefining the American dream. However, the wealthy businessmen of the Gilded Age were Robber Barons, opting to use corrupt and unethical business practices, such as bribery and “debt slavery”, to gain riches.
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.
Athenian democracy includes participation of all adult, free, male, citizen, made possible for all. If at the beginning and during the thriving period of the Athens democracy the occupations of a state position was considered to be an worthy duty for the citizens, the taking in of ...
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.
Throughout the history of the Greek civilization, the Greek people have endured many hardships, as well as peace and triumphs. However, one Greek time period stands out the most for being both peaceful and aggressive, the Golden Age. During the Golden Age, Greece and its surrounding colonies flourished with wealth and power, was influenced by several key players, and participated in wars and battles, as well. The Greek Golden Age was one of the highest points of Greek society, and impacted it years later.