Download Comparing the Government of

Comparing the Governments of Greece and Rome
Document Based Question
Directions: The following prompt requires you to construct an essay that integrates your interpretation
of Documents A-E and your knowledge of the period referred to in the question. In the essay you should
strive to support your assertions both by citing key pieces of evidence from the documents and by
drawing on your knowledge of the period.
Writing Prompt:
Compare citizenship and government in the Roman Republic to democracy in the Greek polis.
Document A
1. What percent of adult male citizens in Athens could vote in the Assembly? What percent were eligible to become members
of the smaller Council of 500?
2. Judging by the illustration and the quorum requirement, what generalization can you make about the attendance of
Athenian citizens at Assembly meetings?
3. What does is mean that the Council of 500 was chosen “by lot”? Was that a good idea?
4. Assume that the scene in the drawing is accurate. Does it strengthen or weaken an argument that Athens had a better
system of citizenship than Rome? Explain.
Document B
1. How many served in the Roman Senate? How many serve in the Athenian Assembly?
2. How long was the usual term of service in the Roman Senate?
3. Compare the social class make-up of the Roman Senate and the Athenian Assembly. What does this
comparison tell you about the political power of the average citizen in each society?
4. Compare the two images in Document A and B. In your opinion, what were the strengths and
weakness of the Athenian Assembly and the Roman Senate? Explain.
Document C
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
(from Thucydides, 430 B. C. E.)
At the end of the first year of war, the Athenians held, as was their custom, an elaborate funeral for all
those killed in the war. The funeral oration over these dead was delivered by the brilliant and charismatic
politician and general, Pericles, who perished a little bit later in the horrifying plague that decimated
Athens the next year. The Funeral Oration is the classic statement of Athenian ideology, containing
practically in full the patriotic sentiment felt by most Athenians.
Let me say that our system of government does not copy the institutions of our neighbors. It is more the
case of our being a model to others, than of our imitating anyone else. Our constitution is called a
democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a
question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law; when it is a question of putting
one person before another in positions of public responsibility, what counts is not membership of a
particular class, but the actual ability which the man possesses. No one, so long as he has it in him to be
of service to the state, is kept in political obscurity because of poverty. And, just as our political life is
free and open, so is our day-to-day life in our relations with each other. We do not get into a state with
our next-door neighbor if he enjoys himself in his own way, nor do we give him the kind of black looks
which, though they do no real harm, still do hurt people’s feelings. We are free and tolerant in our
private lives; but in public affairs we keep to the law. This is because it commands our deep respect.
1. According to Pericles, what makes Athens great?
2. How does this compare to other city-states?
3. What is Pericles’ definition of democracy?
4. What are the responsibilities of Athenian citizenship?
Document D
Brutus Magnamus, Roman Senator (397 BCE). Excerpt from a speech on the Senate floor.
“I say to you my fellow Senators; let not the wary opinions of the common deter you in what is best for
Rome. It is we that have the power, nay the responsibility, to our forefathers who founded this great
land before us to keep it great. We shall continue to hold power and decide what is best for Rome as we
are the ones truly qualified to do so. So again I say to you brothers, disregard the complaining voice of
the farmer or artisan and make the decision that will benefit us, and the rest of Rome!”
1. Why does the Senator in the excerpt above say that the senators should be the ones that hold power?
2. Who does he think should make decisions in the Roman Republic?
3. What similarities or differences do you see between this idea of government and what Pericles said
about government in Document C?
Document E
Romano Delorio (461 BCE). Roman farmer in the northern Italy. Excerpt from a conversation with his
wife. “These patricians of Rome are incredulous! They feel that they have all the power even over other
citizens due to their ancestry! Rules don’t apply to them, taxes are lessened, and we pay the brunt! Our
vote so minimal and we need a group to vocalize our needs to we get no voice at all. If not for our
assemblies and tribunes we would be nothing to the Republic.”
1. What does the farmer say about who has power in Rome?
2. How does he feel about being a citizen in the Roman Republic?
3. What similarities or differences do you see between this idea of government and what Pericles said
about government in Document C?