The Ancient Greeks are the most significant to western culture because of its creation of different types of government, ideas on philosophy, and the impact of Hellenistic culture. If you think of America you think of mainly one thing, democracy. The Athenians invented democracy. Athens was founded around 500 B.C. Athenians were the first ones to give power to someone who they think will actually be good for that job, and not simply due to noble blood or force.
ESSAY- Explain how the delian league transformed into the Athenian empire- Plan- intro growing Athenian power in the delian league campaigns to Persia revolts Oath of Challis- combined military and legal system building program no conclusion- Initially there was much goodwill and support towards Athens as she offered hope of liberation from Persia to the cities of Ionia and protection for the islands. However this goodwill declined. After the defeat of Persia at the battle of Eurymedon River, the fear of Persia receded. This made Athens increasingly domineering policies appear imperialistic in intent. The Athenian ownership of the Delos treasury, suppression of revolts as well as the challis decree marks the transformation of the delian league into the Athenian empire.
The helots had revolted following an earthquake and had taken up position in the strategic stronghold of mount Ithome. Epilates saw Sparta as a rival and enemy and Cimon managed to persuade the assembly to send a force to help. On arrival the Spartans regretted asking the Athenians and sent them home. Thucydides said this was because of the bold and evolutionary ideas of the Athenians that led to this idea. Thucydides said that the Athenians returning home were deeply offended with this treatment by the Spartans and said it is not what they deserved.
Tensions between the Peloponnesian League and the Delian League eventually led to the Peloponnesian war. Thucydides believed that Sparta was afraid of the growing power of Athens, which had essentially resulted in the creation of an Athenian empire. Sparta felt that Athens was meddling in their business, and Athens would not agree to avoid interference. After twenty-seven years of war, and the participation in one way or another of many of the city-states belonging to the two leagues, both Sparta and Athens were in ruins. Sparta claimed the victory, and the city-states continued their bickering and fighting.
He also used his knowledge for great impacts like the fall of Troy. Odysseus was amongst Helen’s suitors, but to avoid war between them Odysseus made the others swear to respect Helen’s decisions. Odysseus was an import key figure in Ancient Greece because he had used his knowledge during the Trojan war to outsmart
However, Odysseus has good traits that an epic hero has, but he also have bad traits too, such as, being overconfident and angering gods. Lastly, he would have to overcome many challenges throughout his difficult journey in order to come home to Ithacha to reunite with his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemacus, after twenty years lost at sea. When Odysseus was sailing away from Polyphemus, he declares the Cyclops, in book 9 (line 418-419),“ tell him Odysseus, raiders of cities, took your eye”. The city that Odysseus raided was Troy, since he was in the Trojan war just before he had to go on the journey to redeem himself. Likewise, during his journey, he had also been disloyal to his wife, Penelope.
The Babylonians is seen as the play which 'opens' the war against Cleon because it is the first political satire written by Aristophanes. Even though only fragments of the play remain, we know that The Babylonians centers on the criticism of Cleon due to remarks from ancient scholars including Dicaeopolis. Cleon was the Athenian statesman during the Peloponnesian War, who was strongly opposed by Aristophanes as he viewed Cleon as a warmonger and a demagogue. (Here it must be noted that contrary to Aristophanes view of Cleon many modern historian have the view that Cleon “… was a more wiser and more intelligent statesman, with a better reputation and a more just entitlement to fame and honour, than our principal authorities lead us to suppose.”) Knowledge of the context of the play, the opposing views between Aristophanes and Cleon (not to mention understanding that the most effective and appropriate way for Aristophanes to denounce Cleon was to write a satirical play) makes it obvious as to why Aristophanes has written a play to denounce Cleon. However due to only minimal fragments remaining of the original play, one cannot know exactly what
It is also important to understand the interrelationship of the democratic changes with the events of the 5th century. The political changes that occurred in this period can rightly be seen as a turning point in history. In the first half of the 5th century, Athens developed from a land power to become the leading maritime state in Greece. At the same time, Athens underwent major political changes that revolutionised and transformed the state from a moderate to a radical democracy. The 'Radical Democracy' came about when Athens became more democratic with the introduction of a system of changes that allowed greater participation from ordinary citizens.
Caesar's own personality was a key role to his own death making him as guilty as everyone else. If Caesar was a caring ruler he might have survived his assassination but unfortunately he was the stereotypical leader and only cared for the good of himself. Even though the empire was stopped before Caesar could rule it, the republic did not last much longer anyway. Caesar's death was not much of an effect on Rome but nonetheless it was Caesars fault. Caesar was arrogant, hubris and full of pride.
Some healthy, or not so healthy sibling rivalry. The second part of the book, “Theogony,” is a poem of the Greek Gods and in my opinion could have been the ones who invented revenge because they display it the best. Either being the most graceful or being horribly evil, revenge was no stranger to Greek mythology. Hesiod’s “Works and Days” is a poem about his low life brother Perses who thinks he didn’t get his fair share in their father’s inheritance. Perses thinks it is so unfair that he even takes the dispute to court for a hearing.