Download Athens established the world`s first democracy

Chapter 9: Classical Greece
Essential Question: What lasting influences did ancient Greek culture have on the
modern world?
Under Cleisthenes’ reform,
Only male property owners born in Athens could
participate in Athenian government.
Section 1- The Golden Age of Greece **
Pericles and Democracy: Seeds of Democracy and Athens’s Greatest Leader (p.230-231)
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
Athens established the world’s first democracy
2. What is a direct democracy?
Citizens gather together to vote on laws and policies
3. How did Pericles expand democracy in Athens?
He transferred the remaining powers of the aristocrats
to the assembly, opening up powerful political
positions to the middle classes, and established a direct
democracy
4. How did Pericles decision to pay public officials help strengthen democracy?
Paying public officials strengthened democracy by
allowing all men, not just wealthy ones, to have the
opportunity to hold government positions.
5. Why did Pericles decide to pay jurors?
Paying jurors allowed poor citizens to serve on juries –
otherwise they could not afford to take time off their
jobs.
Religion and the Gods: Beliefs and Myths (p.234-235)
6. What is the main idea of this passage?
The Greeks believed that the many gods they
worshipped could strongly influence daily life.
7. What is a myth (see p.208) and what is mythology?
A myth is a very old story told to explain events to
justify beliefs and actions.
Mythology is a collection of stories that explained
events, beliefs and actions.
8. What role did gods and goddesses play in the lives of the ancient Greeks?
They believed that if they didn’t keep their gods
happy, bad things would happen. They kept the gods
happy by leaving them offerings, celebrating them
during public festivals and worshipped them privately.
9. Why were myths important to ancient Greek culture?
Greek myths about gods, kings, and heroes helped the
people of ancient Greece understand their world and
gave explanations of how things came to be the way
they were.
Section 2- The Peloponnesian War: Athenian Democracy DBQ (p.240-241)
10. According to Pericles, what was special about the Athenian government?
Athenian government was special because power was
in the hands of the majority of people, not just the
rich, creating a more equal society.
11. What does the practice of ostracism tell you about Athenian values?
The principles of fairness and democracy were more
important than one person’s power.