The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome

Ancient Greece

Greek Civilization 1. Greek civilization began as separate city- states, each of which had its own system of government. 2. At first Athens was governed by Aristocracy made up of three nobles selected by citizens

Athenian Democracy 1. Gradual evolution from tyrants to democracy 2. 600 B.C. Solon initiated political reform policies. 3. Cleistenes ( 508 B.C.) Founder of Athenian Democracy

Age of Pericles( ruled, 461 B.C. to 429 B.C.)-“Golden Age of Greece” a. Increase number of paid officials and paid Jurors b. Poorer citizens can now participate through Direct Democracy -system of direct citizen rule-no reps

PERICLES

The Greek Philosophers 1. Basic assumptions a. Universe is orderly and based on unchanging laws b. People can understand these laws through logic and reason

School of Athens

2. Socrates “The unexamined. life is not worth living”. Use 2. Socrates “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Use the Socratic method of questioning 3. Plato wrote The Republic and believed in government by the wisest

Aristotle 1. Examined nature of world and human belief, thought, and knowledge 2. From Politics-” Man is by nature a political animal: it is in his nature to live in a state”

Alexander and Aristotle

The Legacy of Greece 1. Belief in Reason and Logic 2. Natural Law 3. Direct Democracy 4. Three Branches of Government

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Romans learned about Greek democracy when they defeated the Greeks in a war for control of the Italian Peninsula

1. Republic-a form of. government in which power 1. Republic-a form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to elect government leaders 2. The Senate was controlled by aristocracy and handled finance and foreign affairs

Roman Law 1. Based on reason and justice to protect citizens and property 2. Burden of proof on accuser 3. Innocent until proven guilty 4. Laws amendable

The Laws of the Twelve Tables 455 B.C. : Earliest Roman Written Law Binding on both patrician and plebeian

Principles of Roman Law Unity and stability Civil law- for Roman Citizens Law of Nations –all people-based on nature Rights of the Accused Use of Evidence Judicial Interpretation

From Republic to Empire Punic Wars between 246 B.C. and 146 B.C. Rome destroyed Carthage and gained control of its lands and peoples.

In the eastern Mediterranean, Rome gained lands conquered by Alexander the Great.

Julius Caesar became dictator Killed in 44 B.C. Nephew Octavian becomes first Roman emperor Augustus Caesar

The Justinian Code -528 A.D. Expansion of Roman Law Codification- System of Organization Profound impact on the West-

Justinian’s code of laws served to transmit Roman law Justinian’s code of laws served to transmit Roman law. His wife, Theodora, was a tough politician and co-ruler of the Byzantine empire with Justinian.

The Legacy of Rome- The idea of a republic 1. Representative Government 2. Preserved Greek concept that individual is a citizen of a state, rather than subject of ruler 3. A written legal code