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The Greek Roots of Democracy Democracy • Democracy is a form of government where the citizens have governing power. It can be traced back to ancient Greece. Geography of Greece • Mountainous country in Southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea. • Rugged terrain • Greeks built small, isolated city-states. • City-state: a political unit made up of a city and the surrounding lands. City-States: Polis (small population and not united) Temples worship polytheistic gods (priests) Acropolis: high city with palace (king) Seat of Government: made of noblemen, landowners and wealthy families Middle class: merchants, farmers, artisians Marketplace Workers, slaves, etc. Rulers • Between 700 and 500 BC there were many changes in rulers. • Originally ruled by kings. Bronze Age: • Power shifts to wealthy landowners (aristocracy) – Served as military defenders of the city: controlled weapons. – (Common men could not afford to be soldiers as they could not afford to purchase armor, horses, and chariots). Technology of War: Iron! • Changes in military technology allowed the middle class to gain power. – In 650 BC iron weapons replaced expensive bronze, allowing ordinary citizens to purchase armor and become soldiers. – When citizens felt leadership was too tyrannical, they could exercise armed resistance. (roots of democracy) Creates greater equality among the social classes of Ancient Greece. Temple: Polytheistic Gods (Priests) Ruling Aristocracy (wealthy families) Military Citizens: Middle class Slaves Sparta and Athens emerge as dominant city-states. Sparta • Transforms into a military state around 600 BC. • Boys left home at the age of 7 and lived in military barracks. They trained to be lifetime soldiers. Very militaristic and disciplined society. • Girls encouraged to stay healthy so they could marry and have many babies (future soldiers). Sparta • The government was controlled by two kings (monarchs). Assembly – advised by a council of elders. • Major decisions had to be approved by an assembly. – An assembly is a group of citizens. In Sparta the assembly consisted only of native born male Spartans over age 30. Elders K K Athens • Birthplace of democracy • Originally controlled by a monarchy • Power shifts to the aristocracy around 700 BC. Athens • Under the aristocracy Athenian wealth and power grew • Ordinary citizens discontent Aristo Aristo – resented the power of the nobles. • Discontent fueled by debt slavery – Citizens who found themselves in debt had to sell off lands to the nobles. – Many were forced to sell themselves into slavery to pay off their debts. Aristo Aristo Aristo Tyrant Aristo Aristo Aristo Aristo Aristo Athenian Reformers • Solon: 594 BC abolishes debt slavery and expands Athenian assembly. • Pisistratus: 546 BC takes control of the city and gives farmers and poor greater voice in government. • Cleisthenes: 507 BC establishes council of 500. – 500 member legislature – All male citizens over 30 eligible – Slaves and women still excluded Athenian Reformers • Pericles: Establishes direct democracy – In direct democracy each citizen gets an equal say in government; women and slaves still excluded. • Athenian assembly expanded to 6,000 – Government officials given salary allowing poor men to serve • Juries created to make final decisions in court trials. • Created civil works projects to improve infrastructure and economy. GODS/PRIEST “Boule” MONARCH/TYRANT ARISTOCRACY Council of 500 WEALTHY LANDOWNERS Made laws Assembly: 6000+ Citizens Jury system 1000+ citizens Determine outcomes of legal situations. Voice in governmental decisions Oversee daily business/govt decisions Athens Sparta The Peloponnesian War • 431 BC Sparta attacked Athens. • Fighting lasts 27 years. • 404 BC Sparta captures Athens • Instills Military Discipline and overrules Athenian democracy. Early Philosophers • Socrates • Plato • Aristotle Built on each other’s ideas and set the foundation for later Enlightenment ideas. LEGACY OF THE GREEKS Philosophers: lovers of wisdom • Men start thinking about Gods, natural law, power and men’s control over each other. • Early science (astronomy) • Human behavior and relationship to each other (morality and ethics) • “Golden Rule” morality • Foundations of democracy and various forms of government. • Common man took more active role in government and leadership. Alexander the Great • 338 BC Greece conquered by neighboring Macedonia ruled by King Philip. • Philip’s son, Alexander, inherits throne at age 20, continues to expand the empire. • Alexander’s tutor was Aristotle who would teach him ideas of democracy and written law • By 327 BC he had conquered an empire stretching over 2,000 miles, earning himself the name Alexander the Great. Empire of Alexander the Great Macedonia Hellenistic Age • Rule of the Macedonians blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures blended together. (Which theme of geography does this demonstrate?) The End of Alexander’s Empire • Alexander dies in 323 BC with no heir • Empire divided among three generals and quickly crumbled because of power wars. • Allows new empire to emerge: Rome.