1. Long Essay Question Essay for Unit 1
Plato v. Pericles
Long Essay Question Essay for Unit 1

2. Step #1: Tasks & Terms
Explain the arguments behind Plato’s and Pericles’ opinion regarding Athenian democracy, along with the context in which they were developed. Identify which of the two Aristotle’s political thoughts would align with more closely? Explain.
Tasks: #1. Explain #2. Identify & Explain
Terms: #1. Plato / Pericles arguments for democracy & their context
#2. Who would Aristotle agree with more & why

3. Step #2. Brainstorm
Plato
Pericles

4. …brainstorm Plato Pericles For Democracy Context Against Democracy
The Republic (social break-down)
The majority of decision makers are not the most capable of making the right decisions (workers)
philosophers (men and/or women) who have experience, who seek the truth, & display good morals, should lead
Context
Student & follower of Socrates (what happened to him)
Experience of Athens during the Peloponnesian War
For Democracy
Leader of Athens following Persian Wars
Democratically elected
Strengthened democracy while leading Athens
Context
Athenian history of Tyrants & civil strife
Athenian success during the Persian wars (Themistocles)
Athens became intellectual, cultural, & economic center of the Mediterranean – while under democratic rule

5. Aristotle Critical of democracy, but… (check out blue sheet)
Background
Student of Plato / but different
Alexander…?

6. Thesis Statements
Your thesis is the most important part of your essay!
Your thesis statement is one to two sentences, is located at the end of your introductory paragraph, and it must:
Respond to the question / prompt directly, using the tasks & terms
Briefly outline the categories of evidence that you will use to make your point.
It’s the opening statement in a court case…
DO NOT RESTATE THE PROMPT

7. Possible Thesis Statements
Plato was a critic of democracy and felt that the “ideal” society should be ruled by philosopher kings, where as Pericles was instrumental in building up Athens. Aristotle was a loyal student of Plato.
Plato was a critic of democracy and felt that the “ideal” society should be ruled by philosopher kings, where as the highly influential statesman, Pericles, endorsed Athenian democracy and claimed that it is was the city’s finest characteristic.
Plato and Pericles held very different opinions regarding democracy, and the future well-being of Athens. Aristotle would have aligned himself with Plato, due to philosophical agreements.

8. continued…
The Spartans believed in a militaristic society that was led by an oligarchy, while Athens thrived in the golden age driven by democracy.
Plato was ideally against democracy, Pericles was for it, and Aristotle leaned towards Pericles.
Plato was a critic of democracy and felt that the “ideal” society should be ruled by philosopher kings, where as the highly influential statesman, Pericles, endorsed Athenian democracy and claimed that it is was the city’s finest characteristic. Though critical of some of democracy’s flaws, Aristotle would most likely align with Pericles / Plato.

9. Step #3 Thesis Statement
Plato was a critic of democracy and felt that the “ideal” society should be ruled by philosopher kings, where as the highly influential statesman, Pericles, endorsed Athenian democracy and claimed that it is was the city’s finest characteristic. Due to Aristotle’s belief in ______________, he would more likely align himself with _________________.

10. Introductory Paragraph
Set up Time and Place
Allude to your subtopics
“Start Broad, and work your way toward your specific thesis”
Time & Place
Sub-topics
Thesis

11. Introductory Paragraph
Following the Persian Wars, The Greek city-state of Athens emerged as a great power within the Mediterranean world. The Athenians defeated the Persian navy at Salamis, and now returned to rebuild their great city not simply for themselves, but for all of Greece to bear witness. Among the many characteristics that make up their “golden age,” their political institution of democracy set them apart from their contemporaries. Three prominent Athenians, Plato, Pericles, and Aristotle held differing opinions in regards to the Athenian political structure and the ideal government. Plato was a critic of democracy and felt that the “ideal” society should be ruled by philosopher kings, where as the highly influential statesman, Pericles, endorsed Athenian democracy and claimed that it is was the city’s finest characteristic. Though critical of some of democracy’s flaws, Aristotle would most likely align with Pericles / Plato.

12. 1st body Paragraph
Plato, the Athenian philosopher who followed Socrates and later founded the Academy, was a thinker who embraced the ideal. Between 385 and 380 B.C., he wrote his famous work the Republic in which he used a fictional conversation involving Socrates to illustrate the ideal, or perfect society. In this society, he made clear that its citizens would be classified into three separate categories; philosophers, warriors, and workers. He felt based on a true understanding of human abilities, that it was from the group of philosophers that leaders should come from, clearly marking democracy as the less ideal form of government. These philosophers could be male or female, and should be both experienced and grounded in virtue. Perhaps the reason that Plato felt this way had to do with the particular situation that Athens found itself in following the Peloponnesian War.
Themistocles
Poor leadership following death of Pericles
Execution of the Naval Admirals
Execution of Socrates

13. What NOT to do…
Plato was a philosopher who was against democracy. He wrote the Republic and talked about philosopher kings. He knew Socrates, and believed that the “unexamined life was not worth living.” He felt that workers should work, and warriors should protect the state. He was Athenian, so he would know well that democracy wasn’t always perfect.

14. 2nd paragraph
Pericles emerged onto the scene in Athens following the triumphant victory over the Persians and king Xerxes. Democratically elected, he was a zealous believer in the democracy that became the signature feature of Athens. He, along with many of the citizens, felt that victory against the eastern Persians served as kind of divine truth that democracy was truly the right form of government. While he led the Athenian government, he strengthened democracy by…. and built up Athens by …. Being a highly educated aristocrat, he full well knew the violent history that Athens endured through many tyrants and civil wars. He could have very well pointed to Themistocles as proof that Athens sought the very best to lead the city, which any other type of government would have dismissed. In his funeral oration at the beginning of the Peloponnesian war, he… He could point to the Parthenon, Athens leadership in the Delian League, and its newly established empire as proof that a city led by its citizens was the true ideal.

15. Conclusion Re-state your thesis statement.
Legacy statement / what will come next / etc.
Do not insert new information or start a new argument
Tips when you write:
Do not be cheesy and flowery
Avoid first-person… “I think”
Write to someone who doesn’t know you, or what you’re talking about (meaning – explain!)