The Legacy of Ancient Greece

MAIN IDEA POWER AND AUTHORITY The Greeks developed democracy (and the Romans added representative government)

WHY IT MATTERS NOW Representation and citizen participation are important features of democratic governments around the world.

TERMS & NAMES TO KNOW government monarchy aristocracy oligarchy democracy direct democracy

Throughout history, people have needed a system for exercising authority and control in their society. Over thousands of years, people began to believe they could govern themselves without a powerful ruler.

Athens Built a Limited Democracy 2000 B.C. – Greeks create city-states in small fertile valleys along Greece’s rocky coast Each city-state had its own government, a system for controlling the society

The City-State of Athens

The Greek city-states adopted many styles of government. monarchy = king or monarch aristocracy = ruled by small group of noble, land-owning families oligarchy = ruled by a few powerful people from business class

The Ancient Greeks developed the first democracy. democracy = ruled by the people/citizens who hold power. demos = people kratos = power direct democracy = ruled by citizens who make laws directly (instead of through representatives) *

Athens was the largest and most powerful city-state in Greece. Athens - citizens participated in decision making Citizens were adult male residents 600 B.C. – Athens faced economic problems Many Athenians sold themselves into slavery Strong leaders (tyrants) took power to deal with political and economic problems

Three Greek Leaders that Developed Democracy Solon - Outlawed debt slavery - Citizenship based on wealth versus heredity - Lowest classes could vote - Citizens = free, adult males - Any citizen could bring charges against wrongdoers

Cleisthenes - Founder of democracy in Athens - Balances power between rich and poor - All citizens can submit laws for debate

Pericles (461 B.C. to 429 B.C.) Increased number of paid public officials by paying jurors – enabled poor citizens to participate in government More citizen participation led to direct democracy Athens under Pericles → more citizens directly involved in government than any other city-state

“Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.” -Pericles

But…Athens had a limited democracy. Only male citizens could participate in government Few people were citizens Women, slaves, and foreigners could not be citizens About 1/3 of population were slaves

Greek Philosophers Use Reason Greek philosophers used logic and reason to investigate the nature of the universe, human society, and morality. Assumptions of Greek philosophers: The universe works in an orderly way and according to unchanging natural laws. People can understand these laws through logic and reason. Respect for human intelligence and reason helped democracy evolve in Greece.

Socrates Encouraged students to examine their beliefs. Used a question-and-answer approach to learning = the Socratic Method Accused of failing to honor the gods and corrupting the youth of Athens Sentenced to death by hemlock Accepted the penalty = “A citizen should obey the laws of the state.”

“The unexamined life is not worth living. ---Socrates

Socrates’ greatest student was Plato The Republic – Plato’s most famous book. Explained his vision for a perfectly governed society. Society should be governed not by the richest and most powerful but by the wisest. Wise rulers were philosopher kings.

Allegory of the Cave

Primary Source: “Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils, no, nor the human race.” Plato, The Republic

Plato’s best student was Aristotle Examined the nature of the world and human belief, thought, and knowledge “Man is by nature a political animal; it is his nature to live in a state.” --- Aristotle, Politics Plato and Aristotle distrusted democracy → democracy could lead to “mob rule” → but…opposed absolute tyrants

“He who trusts any man with supreme power gives it to a wild beast, for such his appetite sometimes makes him: passion influences those in power, even the best of men, but law is reason without desire…” -Aristotle What’s the point? Reliance on the rule of law is better than trusting government to a king or other individual.

Aristotle’s Best Form of Government Government by the many Opposed tyranny “And the rule of law…is preferable to that of any individual.” ---Aristotle Best government = a “polity” A constitutional government ruled by members of the middle class. Goal of polity = establish just and stable rule.

The Legacy of Greece Set lasting standards in government and philosophy Used reason and intelligence to discover patterns and explanations of the world Believed in natural laws Opposed authoritarian rulers (No Tyrants!) Individual achievement, dignity, and worth are of great importance → central to democratic society

The Legacy of Greece Developed direct democracy – Citizens could actively/directly participate in the political process. Developed three branches of government: Legislative branch → passed laws Executive branch → carried out laws Judicial branch → settle disputes about laws