Download classical civilizations and democracy

CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS
AND
DEMOCRACY
Why do we care about the Greeks?
The Greeks who lived from 479 to 323 BC
shaped western civilization leading to
modern science, schools of philosophy
and religion, and democracy
 Greek ideas—rationality, democracy,
individualism, citizenship, free debate and
philosophy percolated through Europe and
influence 21st century life.
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In The Beginning
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Precursor of Greeks were Minoan people from
the island of Crete in the Aegean region.
Around 1300 BC Mycenaean culture spread
throughout the area and joined with Minoan
culture.
Around 800 BC this lead to the Hellenic (Greek)
culture.
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey influenced Greek
philosophy by promoting the ideas of bravery,
intelligence and pride. These qualities became
basis of Greek educational system.
The Polis (city states)
The polis is best understood as a
community of politically and commercially
independent citizens (self-sufficient).
Decisions and policy were made by all
freeborn and equal male citizens of Greek
parentage and language.
 Sparta = known for military skills, discipline
and service to the polis.
 Athens = know for being the cultural center
of Greece and democracy.
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The Polis
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City-States often fought one another. (Ex.
Peloponnesian War, 431-404 BC, Sparta v.
Athens)
Came together when attacked by outside forces
(Ex. Persians in 490 and 480) or for athletic
competitions (Ex. Olympics).
Custom of coming together to ask questions on
how polis would be run slowly led to democratic
principles.
FOUDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY
Athens moved slowly toward democratic rule The aristocracy ruled through a council
headed by archons - or officials in the early
government.
 Only the nobles had a say in the government
at this time.
 621BC - the archons asked the noble Draco to
draw up a code of law. This code required that
all laws be equally applied to all classes and
provided for very harsh penalties.
 Created backlash
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Foundations of Democracy

Solon—The Lawmaker of Athens
 594
BC - the leader Solon freed citizens forced into
slavery, limited the amount of land one person could
own, created a supreme court, and ordered food prices
lowered. Through these reforms, the “common person”
gained more political power.

Athens, unlike Sparta, was a money-mad
commercial city. The constitution written by Solon
mitigated the class struggle between rich and poor,
and allowed for the growth of democratic
institutions.
Foundations of Democracy

When Solon was asked once which city he
thought was well-governed, he said: "That city
where those who have not been injured take up
the cause of one who has, and prosecute the
case as earnestly as if the wrong had been done
to themselves." Accordingly, he allowed anyone
to take up the cause of a poor man who had
been injured.
Foundations of Democracy

508 BC- Cleisthenes - created the Athenian
Assembly- a lawmaking body, and allowed
all citizens to participate in it.

He also introduced the idea of ostracism - or
the exile of citizens who were thought to be
a threat to the community
Foundations of Democracy
After the Persian Wars Athens became a
direct democracy under Pericles.
 All male citizens whose parent were both
Athenians met in the Assembly to debate,
vote and make laws.
 All citizens were required to participate in
government.

The End?
The Peloponnesian War weakened the citystates which led to Philip of Macedonia's
victory over Greece in 338BC
 When Phillip was assassinated his son
Alexander took over and spread Greek
ideas throughout the Mediterranean
 Beginning of the Hellenistic Age

 Dominated
by ideas of Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, Euclid, Zeno
Plato
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Philosophy= rationalism

“Until philosophers are kings, cities will never
have rest from their evils.”
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“Democracy passes into despotism”
Plato power flow chart
1
• The role of rulers is to ensure the people
follow the ‘good life’
2
• Knowing what the ‘good life’ is requires
intellectual ability and knowledge of ethics
3
• Only philosophers have this ability and
knowledge
4. Political power should be given to
philosophers!
Plato’s Metaphor

The state is a ship
The general populace = the shipowner. The shipowner
has not knowledge of the sea, so should not navigate
the ship
Politicians = Sailors. Sailors are more interested in
fighting with each other to gain the favor of the
shipowner and to make money
Philospopher = Navigator. Not involved in the struggle
Off to Rome!!!!

“The government is bandied about like a
ball.” Ciciero (106-43 BCE)
The Roman Republic and Empire
Founded in 645 BC
 Highly class-ist society (Patricians,
equestrians, plebeians and slaves)…but
more mobile than Greek society.
 In 509 BC the Romans started a republic
led by wealthy landowners (patricians).
 Defeated enemies and spread throughout
Europe. (Pax Romana during Augustus’
rule in 31BC—beginning of Empire)

Roman Accomplishments
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System of law and justice was greatest
contribution to Western civilization.

In Empire, people were untied under the
Law of Nations.
 Applied
to all citizens regardless of nationality.
Cicero
Ideology = Republicanism
 Before Cicero:
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 380
BCE Plato outlines idea for city-state
 2nd century BCE, Polybius’s history describes the
rise of the Roman Republic and its constitution
with a separation of powers
 48 BCE Julius Caesar is given unprecedented
powers and his dictatorship marks the end of the
Roman Republic
Cicero
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Staunch defender of mixed constitution
 Consuls,
the Senate and democracy: each
with areas of power that balanced one
another out
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He warned that a break-up of the Republic
would cause a return to a destructive cycle
of governments; one type after another,
causing chaos.
Cicero
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He was right

After Caesar died, Rome came under the
control of an emperor, Augustus (formerly called
Octavian)…power was passed from him to a
succession of despotic rulers.
Fun Fact

After the constitutional convention in the
U.S., Benjamin Franklin was asked what
type of government was created…his
answer: “A republic, if you can keep it”
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Was he thinking of Rome?
The Fall (285-476AD)
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By 2nd century AD Rome had begun fall.
 Causes
= weakened army, smaller population,
oppressive government, declining farms and cities,
stagnant economy, loss of confidence, barbarian
invasions)
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370AD the Visigoths defeated the Roman army
476AD Germans hired by Rome to fight in army
overthrew the emperor (Romulus Agustus…so
weak they didn’t even kill him)
The end of the Empire…not the ideas
Roman Ideas

Stayed alive because of Byzantinian
emperor Justinian who collected laws and
sent forces to regain Roman lands
Review
What is Democracy?
 What is the difference between a direct
democracy and a representative
democracy?
 What characteristic of Athens made it a
great city-state?
 What was Rome’s greatest contribution to
Western civilization?
 What was Greece’s greatest contribution to
Western Civilization?
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DEMOCRACY
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Democracy is a system of self-government where the citizens are
equal and political decisions are made by majority rule, but always
with the protection of minority rights. In its purest form, democracy
affords citizens the opportunity to participate directly in the decisionmaking process. This is called direct democracy. But given the size
and complexity of today's societies, it is generally more practical for
citizens to elect representatives who will govern and make decisions
on their behalf. Representative democracy relies on regular, free,
fair, and competitive elections to hold the government accountable
to the people.
In a democracy, the government exists to serve the people, not the
other way around. Since democratic government derives its
authority from the consent of the governed, the people have the
capacity to change the government peacefully when they lose
confidence in it. And they need not fear a bullet if they try.