Essay On Athenian Democracy
The pure democracy of Athens did not only concern itself of the people, for the people but prioritized by the people more than current democracies. The Athenian government required large amounts of machinery and paraphernalia as a result of the mass citizen participation in government. As a result of this, historians are able to evaluate the Athenian government through material remains found in the center of civic life, the Agora. Thus, enabling a vivid depiction of the purity of democracy in ancient Athens. Historians are able to understand, “what seemed best to the people” in the words of the Athenians themselves. Through extensive research and evaluation of these artifacts historians have come to conclude, Athenian citizens participated in all aspects of their democracy, the legislative, the judicial, and the executive branches of their government. Thus, creating the purest form of …show more content…
This entailed service of one year on any of the various committee or boards such as, Treasurers, Lessors of Public Contracts, Auditors, Market Controllers, Con¬trollers of Measures, Grain War¬dens, Port Superintendents, etc. All of the highest offices within the Athenian democracy could fall on any citizen however, each position was only held for a certain amount of time. Thus, implementing a constant rotation of power. These elements of the Athenian government maximize participation in the democracy and ensured the people controlled the government.
As a result of the equal spread of responsibility amongst citizens, it was also necessary to have a broad system of judicial control. Citizens were randomly selected to serve on law courts (Heliaia), consisting of six jurors (Thesmothetai). This was a paid position, encouraging citizens to participate. All citizens were eligible to be jurors and all were given the opportunity to serve. Therefore, Athenian citizens were both first and last appeal of
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1793 Words | 8 PagesMuch of Athenian life and politics was based on stories of Athenian history. These historical events shaped the way and life of Athenian actions. Yet what happens when the histories that become integral aspects of Athens are based on inaccuracies? The history of Harmodius and Aristogeiton and the impact that it had on Athens was so deep that it led to the catastrophe that was the trials surrounding the defacement of the statues of Hermes. However, Athenian misunderstanding of the situation brings into question the legitimacy of Athenian democracy as a whole, something Thucydides uses his retelling of Harmodius and Aristogeiton to convey.
Essay On Spartan Government
1292 Words | 6 PagesIn this essay, I would like to answer and discuss the following questions: How did the people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What rules governed the selection of public office holders? How were two city-states similar in their governmental structures and how did they differ with each other? For the Spartans the right to participate and made important decisions from the entire community were only exercised by the adult and legitimate male citizens of Sparta.
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Athenian Democracy Vs American Democracy
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659 Words | 3 PagesThe Athenians had a direct democracy which allowed the citizens to directly decide and vote for who they wanted to rule their country. In Athens there were three bodies of the government. The Assembly is the first branch which included all citizens that showed up to cast their vote. The Assembly decided what new laws would be and they made important decisions regarding war, laws, etc.
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504 Words | 3 PagesUnlike the Romans, Athenians had a strict but fair schedule that allowed them to enjoy citizenship equally. Equally, hard workers have brought Athens power just as much as hereditary leaders. According to Document B all citizens should be allowed to speak their opinion and have a share in election because of the hard work they do to make the city powerful. Athenians allowed poor and common men to win a position in government which was a transition from the wealthy having power to everyone having power.
The Importance Of Arete In Ancient Greece
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Compare And Contrast Ancient Greek And Roman Democracy
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How Did Greece Express Humanistic Values?
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Why Was Athens Successful
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Athens: The Limitations Of Athenian Democracy
456 Words | 2 Pagesthe idea of representative government began to take root in some city states, specifically Athens. Athenian reformers moved toward democracy, rule by the people. In Athens citizens participated directly in political decision making. However there were limitations on citizenship to ensure that only the most rational people were able to vote. Through the construction of democracy in Athens, equality of all citizens became greater, and the city would become the top democracy of all the democracies.
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