1. Foundations of Western Political Thought
Greece and Rome
Foundations of Western Political Thought

2. Ancient Greece 700 BC - 30 BC 500 BC
Made up of fiercely independent city-states
Ruled by Tyrants- lots of fighting, seizing power through force

3. Each city-state placed a strong emphasis on individual freedom and creative thought
Use of slaves gave wealthy elite time to focus on intellect and art
Philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Began to question world around them

4. Athens Major city-state
Oligarchy (rule by the few) first then people wanted change
First Democracy
Government by the people
Direct Democracy people directly involved in process
Pericles- great ruler of Athens

5. Sparta Other powerful city-state Spartan- highly self-disciplined
Oligarchy
Women had a lot of freedom, compared to other city-states

6. Philosophy Philosophers Socrates, Aristotle, Plato
Established the foundations of Western Philosophy
We took democracy, science, medicine, drama and philosophy from their culture
Socrates
Aristotle
Plato

7. Greeks constantly threatened by Persian Empire
Alexander the Great BC

8. Greece defeated by Romans in 30 B.C.
Territory swallowed up into Roman Empire

9. Rome 753 BC AD
Established a representative gov’t (by wealthy elite)
Roman Republic is born
Republic: form of gov’t in which the leader is not a monarch and certain citizens have the right to vote
Consuls elected annually and would be advised by the Senate
Senate- 300 landowners that served for life

10. Plebeians want greater political representation
Struggle arises between Patricians (ruling families) and Plebeians (lower classes)
Plebeians want greater political representation
Now everyone considered “equal under the law”
Patricians and Plebeians

11. Roman Law Innocent until proven guilty
Defend yourself in front of a judge

12. Roman Empire Mastered Engineering feats
Grew to be one of largest empires in antiquity
Empire ended 476 AD

13. Christianity Under Rome
Jesus- Jewish prophet
People saw Jesus as potential revolutionary
Christians persecuted under Roman Empire (under Emperor Nero)
Became more acceptable under Emperor Constantine
Catholic Church based in Rome
Nero
Constantine

14. Haggia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey