Athenian Democracy | | |Democracy in Athens was not perfect but it was better than other government systems around in the 5th century. Much of this| |is owed to a few key figures in Athenian history including Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles. Initially, Athenian democracy | |was triggered by the economic upheavals that led to Solon’s rise in the 4th century. And later by political upheaval that | |led to first, the overthrow of Pisistratus’ son, Hippias, and second, the rise of Cleisthenes based on his seeking the | |direct support of the people through demokratia. In this way, Cleisthenes moved Athens from an oligarchy to a democracy.
Athens and Sparta 1. The country of Greece was led by two city states Athens and Sparta. These two city states were represented as Oligarchy for Sparta and Democracy for Athens. The democratic government in Athens did not meet the needs of the Athenians but it was fairly advanced for its time. Athens was more worried about the comfort and culture during the time of the military battles.
Themistocles played an essential role in the Persian wars and was a key factor to Greek victory in these wars. He made this impact through his pre-war efforts, his leadership skills and his intelligence in tactics which is shown during the battle of Salamis. During his pre-war years, Themistocles came to the realisation that if Athens was to suceed in it's war efforts against Persia then it would need to greatly focus on the improval of it's naval force. Unsurprisingly, however, most Athenians disagreed with this idea as it would result in a weakened land military force and less money to the citizens of Athens. In order to persuade his fellow Athenians to support his idea of a strengthened naval force, Themistocles resorted to trickery.
“Religious festivals were occasions of public display” a quote from ancient historian Xenophon, exemplifies the how gods and festivals play an important and crucial role in the lifestyle and the overall society of Sparta. Religion in Sparta was a way of bringing the community together and uniting the gods with the everyday social and political institutions of the Spartan state. Major festivals celebrated by the Spartans included those common to other Greek city states, along with festivals unique to the Spartans. These main festivals were Gymnopaedia, Karneia and Hyakinthia which were celebrated in honour various gods for various reasons. This will be explored through primary and secondary sources revealing the information behind the annual commemorations.
Through this convenient location, Athens was further given another way to assert it’s effectiveness in controlling the other city-states or allies, as having such a readily available Athenian port was crucial in the trading between other civilizations, including that of Egypt, Syria and Palestine (as well as the rest of the Persian Empire) through naval transportations. Without such, the Greek world would have failed to have its diverse trading routes, which brought a wider variety of resources to trade and keep as lavish decorations and greater wealth into their economy, and it’s through this that Athens shows their
A Spartan's life was centered on the state, because they lived and died to serve the state. Although the competing city-states of Sparta and Athens were individually different as well as governmentally diverse, they both managed to become dominating powers in Ancient Greece. The political power of Athens is based on economic power. Democracy is based on middle class economic power. In slow evolution towards democracy, as their trade increased, Athenian craftsmen and merchants had enough money to purchase their own weapons.
The Spartans were really close to them on the other hand, this led to them having an open shot to Athens with little in their way. The Athenians had ships, but that didn’t stop Lysander from get into Athens and ending the war. xxii. The conflict after the war was mainly caused by the amount of power that the Spartans had. It caused Persia to help Athens for freedom and it also caused the city-states to revolt from Spartan control.
Being a member in a Greek house means holding responsibility. It has been suggested that Greek life does not strengthen one's individuality, but I would like to argue the exact opposite. In a house, members have different opinions, different cultures and different priorities (as surprising as this may seem, it's true). Learning how to deal with different opinions and compromise are skills that are taught every day in these housings. Everyone will meet someone in the workplace they may not enjoy being around, but knowing how to handle this situation is invaluable.” (www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/04/Letters/Greek.Life.Can.Be.Positive-3414475.shtml - 73k -) In most historically black colleges or universities there are many organizations.
), the political and economic differences between them would make one think they were on opposite corners of the globe. Politically Athens formed into the first ever recorded example Democracy, whereas Sparta, though it contained democratic components, was primarily ruled as a Monarchial/Oligarchical society. Economically, Athens position on the coast made it a prime spot for trade with the other City-states of Greece, as well as with foreign lands with whom trade would be impossible otherwise. Athenian Marketplaces, called the Agora, were integral to everyday life for the citizens of Athens. If they weren't merchant class workers who peddled their wares at the Agora, any goods they required would be bought there.
HIS103: World Civilizations Instructor Stuart Collins December 5, 2011 In the Mediterranean society there are two societies that we associate with, they are the Greek society and the Roman society. Many people believe that these two societies are the same when in fact they are different in more ways than they are alike. Roman society was greatly impacted by the Greek society; taking from them their governing methods, religions and architectural skills elaborating on them and incorporating them into their society. Through all the differences and similarities, the western world has been greatly influenced by both of these societies and without their influences things, in today’s world, may not be the same. The Greeks and Romans were two strong societies that brought great things to the Mediterranean.