In the eighth century B.C.E., Hellenic Athens was an oligarchic government. The few kings, however, were overruled by the nobility due to the rise of the middle class. This allowed the tyrants to influence the archons and the popular assembly to ratify laws that protected the people. Many significant figures influenced this movement such as Draco, the man who helped establish written laws in Athens in 621 B.C.E. ; Solon, the man who encouraged trade and the popular assembly’s ratification of laws, creating an oligarchic plutocratic democracy in 594 B.C.E.
The Athenian empire was heavily outnumbered by Sparta and their allies. Sparta declared war after their ally, Corinth, accused Athens of interfering in some of the Corinthian colonies. The Spartan army attacked the land surrounding Athens called Attica so Perciles, the Athenian leader, ordered the people to take refuge from the country land into Athens causing the city to become extremely cramped and low on resources. Perciles was later blamed for the losses the outlying lands from the people he ordered into the city. Perciles tactic was to avoid land battles and attack Spartan territory from the sea.
It is said by Plutarch that Miltiades enjoyed the highest prestige from the battle, and this would have increased Athenian reputation among the Greek states (it is important to note that one factor of the formation of e empire was that the Ionian States chose Athens), and would thus have made them more inclined to choose Athens as the hegemon, and allowing them to create their empire. Pausanius also played an influential role in the formation of the Athenian Empire; however it was through his negative actions and behaviour that this came to be. Pausanius was the Spartan
It was an excellent example of how the mistakes in the organization can spoil the results. By the end of sixth century Persia was the most important player on the arena of the Middle East. This country gained much power and influence during the government of Achaemenid dynasty. It conquered such powerful east-Mediterranean states as Midia, Lidia, Babylonia and Egypt. After the last Lidia’s ruler Kreza was defeated, Persians had conquered the Greek colonies that were located at the west coast of Asia Minor.
When the Theban-Athenian alliance was defeated by Macedon at the Battle of Chaeronea, Sparta was taken over. The Spartans refused, however, to attack the Persians with Alexander. Alexander died in Babylon before he could settle them. This triggered yet another Greek civil war which Sparta used to break from Thebes. The Romans then saw Sparta as a good conquest, and brought the Achaeans against the
Eduardo Date 9/18/2012 Professor. Alma Aguilar King Leonidas I In the city of a Sparta is a statue of a legend that left behind and attributed a vast of history of a king who was recognized and feared by always getting all he wanted even if the methods were deviant. Respected for keeping his head up in the worst of the challenges he faced. The name of this icon was Leonidas, a king from the ancient Sparta who was a fierce leader and showed the world what it needs to gain the respect of its people. Personal Background Leonidas was born in Greece Peloponnesian Peninsula in 530 B.C.
In reality Athenian democracy is a complete mockery of itself by not abiding by the ‘guidelines of democracy.’(i.e. for the people by the people). Although Athenian Democracy has its flaws it also has positives, during the time of democratic Athens, Athens was at its height of wealth, it was the most knowledgeable state in ancient Greece, Athens was the centre point of the time. Athenian democracy worked in many ways, with the extent of the voting systems Athens was able to vote quite accurately and thoroughly. At the time of democratic Athens a very influential figure took the chance of becoming a king in a democratic society, Pericles in some ways he achieved what he set out to do, Pericles had a great influence on the Athenian democracy, a great example of his influence is his funeral oration or his famed building programme.
Throughout Plutarch’s Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives, Plutarch elaborately writes about some of the most influential people in Greek history. All of these individuals at one or another during their lives, and after, were and will be remembered as innovators and testimonial examples of people who fought for what was right, beneficial to their people, and honorable till their very last breathe. The Greek heroes that I found to be of the highest view in regards to their societal influence are Thesues, Solon, and Themistocles. In my opinion these men possessed true attributes of leaders and true patriots that support the Great Person Theory, that these individuals, like many other Greek heroes, undoubtedly exerted a decisive impact of
the Athenians settled in Attica, which surrounded their city, rather than sending colonists abroad. Furthermore, during the Era of the Polis within Athens, democracy was evolved, literary movement and warfare tactics occurred and it was the rise of the most notable empire. In the beginning of the sixth century B.C. the aristocrats took control of Attica’s wealth, due to this many of the Athenian peasants became extremely poor. The peasants gave their bodies as a promise to the aristocrats for a loan.
Another beneficial factor towards Caesar’s conquest was the disunity of the Gallic tribes, which was reminiscent of the Greek city-states. When the Celt’s hatred finally drove them together under the leader Vercingetorix, Caesar’s army was almost defeated (Source 2). However, he remained hopeful and fought alongside his troops, speaking words of encouragement. This provided the necessary motivation to win this battle among many others. Some historians may argue that the Caesar’s expansion of Rome was dangerous, but the lands he gained actually served as defensive buffer zones (Source 1).