Greece Contributions to Western Democracy

Setting the stage Archaic Age BCE Beginning of the Polis (City- State) - Definition: Area that comprises a central city and the surrounding area that makes up a self- governing unit Sparta, Athens, and Corinth were major City-States

Aristocats & Tyrants Most city-states ruled by aristocrats or tyrants Athens was a deeply divided society On the verge of violence in late 7th century BCE Struggles over debts, economic opportunity, and power ARISTOCRATS & TYRANTS

Discuss! 1. What are city-states? 2. What struggles did ancient Athens face in the late 7th century BCE?

Solon’s Reforms 594 BCE Ended debt slavery Council of Set agenda for assembly (ekklesia) Citizens divided by wealth - 4 divisions of society Any citizen could be taken to trial - All citizens could be jurors

Divisions of citizens $500+ $300-$499 $200-$399 $200 and less Could hold lower office Could attend the assembly (ekklesia) Both could hold high office Only male citizens could participate

Discuss! 1. How did the Council of 400 further democracy in Athens? 2. How did Solon’s other reforms bring Athens closer to democracy?

Cleisthenes Reforms 508 BCE Council of Intended to break family rivalries and political factions - Ended class divisions based on wealth, organized people based on location

Council of 500 Attica divided into 3 parts: plain, coast, & city - Ten tribes with people in each part of Attica Every year each tribe would randomly select 50 men to go to the Council of Decide on ekklesia business and foreign affairs

Pericles BCE Paid public servants Made more stringent policy on citizenship Ekklesia met more frequently under Pericles Men held public office for one year terms so as not to gain too much power

Discuss! 1. How did the reforms of Cleisthenes and Pericles further democracy in Athens? 2. Which of the 5 Principles of Democracy do the reforms of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles fulfill? 3. In what ways does ancient Athenian society not meet our ideal of democracy?

Socrates BCE Plato’s teacher Gain knowledge through questioning - Socratic Questioning Evil men are just ignorant Disliked democracy - Mob rule

Plato BCE Wrote The Republic - What is justice? Three divisions of society - Producers= craftsman, farmers, etc. - Auxiliaries= warriors - Guardians= rulers Three divisions of the soul - Rational - Spiritual - Appetitive Society should be ruled by philosopher kings

Aristotle BCE Wrote The Politics - Good forms of government ‣ Monarchy, aristocracy, politeia (constitutional) - Bad forms of government ‣ Tyranny, oligarchy, direct democracy (not constitutional) Strong Middle Class Division of Powers; any good government could be corrupted

Plato & Aristotle