Glory, War, and Decline Chapter 7, Lesson 4

The Rule of Pericles With the end of the Persian War, Athens became a powerful and self-confident city-state. From 461 B.C. to 429 B.C., the Athenians, under their new leader Pericles, enjoyed a golden age of prosperity and achievement. Athens became a cultural and economic economic center of Greece. It also began to practice a democratic form of government.

Democracy in Athens Athenians took great pride in their democratic system. They practiced Direct Democracy (all citizens meet to debate and vote on government matters.) Representative Democracy (citizens elect a small group of people, which in turn, represents them makes laws, and governs on their behalf ex: The United States of America)

Democracy in Athens In Athens a direct democracy worked due to their small population. The assembly consisted of 43,000 male members over the age of 18. Often, however, fewer than 6,000 participated in meetings held every 10 days where they passed laws, elected officials, and made policy on war and foreign affairs. The top 10 officials, elected each year, were known as generals.

Pericles in Charge After the Persian Wars, the most important general in the Athenian government was Pericles. His wise rule guided Athens for over 30 years. He made Athens more democratic. He appointed people based on skill not on their social class. He brought in more ordinary people in government. This resulted in ordinary people (i.e. shopkeepers and laborers could participate in government along with nobles and farmers.

Pericles in Charge Under his rule, Athens became a center of learning and the arts and was rebuilt. The Persians destroyed much of city during the Persian Wars and so he erected new temples, monuments, and statues throughout the city. He supported writers artists, teachers, sculptors, and architects. Philosophers (a person who searches for wisdom or enlightenment) also flourished and would reflect on the meaning of life. Since Athens had become such a great center for knowledge, Pericles called it “the school of Greece.”

Athenian Life At its peak in the 400s B.C., Athens was the largest Greek city-state. Population was about 285,000 of which 150,000 were citizens. Only 43,000 were males who had political rights. Athens was also home to around 35,000 foreigners and 100,000 enslaved people.

Athenian Men and Women Men worked as farmers, artisans and merchants. Often completed their work in the morning and then would exercise in the gymnasium. In the evening, upper class men enjoyed all-male gatherings where they ate, drank, and discussed philosophy or politics. Athenian women focused on their homes and families. Girls often married in their mid-teens with responsibilities centering around having children and taking care of their household. Women from poor families helped work the farm or sold goods in the local market place.

Athenian Men and Women Most upper class women rarely left the home. Usually only left for funerals and festivals. Had to be accompanied by a male relative. They usually supervised servants and spun, dyed, and wove cloth. Athenian women could not attend school, but many were able to read and play music. Athenian society did not consider educated women equal to men. Could not participate in political activities or own property.

Athenian Men and Women They were always under the care of a male member. Husbands were responsible for their wives and unmarried daughters while sons looked after their widowed mothers. A few women had more freedom. These were usually foreigners who were seen differently from Athenian women. Aspasia (as-PAY-zhuh) taught public speaking, and her ideas were popular amongst Athenians. Both Plato (PLAY-toh) (famous Greek Philosopher) and Pericles were influenced by her.

Aspasia Lived from c.470 B.C. – 400 B.C. Originally from Miletus in Asia Minor. Beauty and intellect made her a democratic symbol to the Greeks who looked up to her like a rock star. She aggressively enter the male dominated society and government of Greece. Also, was one of the first women to encourage other women to participate in government and demand their rights.

What Was the Role of Slavery in Athens? Slavery was common in ancient civilizations. It was often considered a normal part of life, even by those who were slaves! Even in a democracy like Athens. Most homes in Athens has at least one enslaved person while some wealthy families had more. Many of these slaves were prisoners captured in battle. Included Greeks and non-Greeks. Men worked on farms, in an artisan’s shop or at hard labor.

What Was the Role of Slavery in Athens? Enslaved women were cooks and servants in wealthy homes. Sometimes even taught upper class children. The treatment of the slaves varied. Those who worked in mines usually died early. Those who worked as craftspeople had easier lives. Occasionally, they could earn money and sometimes buy their freedom. It may have also played a hand in developing Athens’ prosperous economy.

The Athenian Economy Farming was a common job amongst Athenians. They grew grains, vegetables, and fruits including grapes for wine and olives for olive oil to be shipped out to foreign markets. Their farms lacked enough space to grow enough food for the city-state. Though they grew some grain they often imported from other places. They constructed a large fleet for trading with other city-states in the Mediterranean world. During the 400s B.C., they led the Greek world in trade trading items such as pottery and leather products.

War Between Athens and Sparta As time passed the Greek city-states understood that to survive they needed to cooperate with each other. Even after the Persian Wars were over the Persians were still a threat. Athens had joined a defensive league to protect its members against the Persians. The league’s headquarters was first found on an island known as Delos (DEE-LAHS), and thus, became known as the Delian League.

War Between Athens and Sparta Athens had provided most of the sailors and soldiers used by the Delian League. Other city-states provided money and ships. In the following decades, they succeeded in driving the Persians out of Anatolia. Freed from Persian rule, Greece grew richer from increased overseas trade.

The Athenian Empire Despite its success, the Delian League failed. Athens was the strongest city-state, and most of the league’s commanders and troops were Athenian. Over time Athens used its influence to control other city-states. They were no longer an alliance of equal city-states fighting the Persians Instead, they were now a group of city-states controlled by Athens.

The Athenian Empire Pericles’ leadership helped Athens dominate the Delian League Treated the other city-states like subjects, requiring strict loyalty and regular payment. He went so far as to demand they use their measurements and coins. In 454 B.C., they had the Delian Leagues’ treasury moved from Delos to Athens. They also sent troops to other city-states to help the common people rebel against nobles in power.

War Breaks Out As Athens grew in economic and political power, Sparta became alarmed. Politically and socially Athens and Sparta were very different and neither trusted the other. Both wanted to be the major power in Greece. Sparta eventually became the leader of an alliance of city-states against Athens. In 433 B.C., Athens began interfering with some of Sparta’s allies which, in turn, pressured Sparta to attack Athens. War broke out between 431 B.C. until 404 B.C.

Pericles’s Funeral Oration During the war’s first winter, a public funeral was held for the soldiers who fell in battle. The Athenian families had gathered to mourn their losses. In a famous speech known as the Funeral Oration, Pericles spoke of the greatness of Athens and reminded the people that they made their government strong He reminded them that people must obey their constitution (the framework of government)

Pericles’s Funeral Oration Some of the duties included paying taxes and defending the city. They were also awarded certain rights, such as the ability to vote and run for office. “Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law…” -Pericles, funeral Oration, quoted in History of the Peloponnesian War

Pericles’s Funeral Oration In his speech, Pericles spoke emphasized the importance of protecting a democratic way of life. Urged listeners to continue fighting. These ideas are still valued by citizens of democratic countries today.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? In a battle after the war started, Sparta and its allies surrounded Athens. They knew that in an open battle they could defeat the Athenian army. Pericles knew the weakness of the Athenian troops. He chose to keep his army and people within the walls of the city. The Athenian navy would bring supplies from colonies and allies. Sparta lacked a navy and could not stop the Athenian ships.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? For almost two years, Athens remained safe. However, a disease broke out with the overcrowded city’s population. More than 1/3 of the people died, including Pericles. During the next 25 years they each would attain some victories, but neither could defeat the other.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? As war dragged on, Athens fell into a state of unrest. The democracy had been overthrown, and then that government was overthrown. By 411 B.C., democracy was restored, but the war continued. By 405 B.C., Sparta’s newly built navy destroyed the Athenian fleet. After this, they created a blockade around Athens to prevent it from receiving new supplies. A year later, the starving Athenians surrendered. Sparta and its allies knocked the city walls down and the Athenian empire collapsed.

The Effects of the War The Peloponnesian War brought disaster to the Greek city-states. Governments were left divided and weak. People died from battle or diseases. Fighting destroyed farms and left people without a way to earn a living. This resulted in many young Greeks leaving to join the Persian army. After the conflict, Sparta ruled over its new empire, much like Athens did before it. The harsh treatment angered Sparta’s former allies.

The Effects of the War An uneasy situation developed. During the next 30 years, Sparta tried to put down rebellions and fought the Persians again. By 371 B.C., they city-state of Thebes seized Sparta and ended the Spartan empire. Then 10 years later, Thebes also collapsed. As the kingdoms continued to fight they did not pay attention to the growing threat from Macedonia in the north. Macedonia’s strength and thirst for expansion would cost the Greek city-states their independence