Greek City-States

HS.C1.4 Analyze the evolution of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights.

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Mr. David Medley

US Government

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Greek City-States

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Athens

Ancient Athens was one of the first city-states to alter the way government addresses the needs of the people. King Solon ruled Ancient Athens starting from around 594 BC. During his reign, the citizen soldiers demanded more rights from their government. To avoid a civil war, Solon made changes to the government to allow for a fair exchange of power between the government and its people. He abolished slavery and created criteria for Athenian citizenship. He also established a court system based on a trial by one’s peers. The smallest cases were tried by 501 jurors. Trials involving treason had 1,501 men. In 450 BC, Pericles made further reforms to government that created democracy in Athens. He encouraged the people of Athens to write their own constitution that placed the power of the government in the hands of the people.

vangelis aragiannis/Shutterstock In 450 BC, Pericles made further reforms to government that created democracy in Athens.

Sparta illustrates another significant divergence from a monarchy. Sparta’s government had two elected kings who were the military of Sparta. The kings also served in one of the houses of the Spartan legislature, which comprised 30 men. The other section of the Spartan legislature was made up of all Spartan men 18 years or older. Finally, there was a council of five elders called the Ephoroi. This group provided oversight to the bicameral legislature and the two kings. The Ephoroi ensured that laws were being followed. Both the Spartan system of government and Athenian democracy have influenced the United States government. The Spartan system provided a model with a separation of powers between three different branches. The Athenians started the practice of citizens having a voice in government. These two radically different systems introduced the practices of democracy.

Sparta

Internet/Google Search The male children of the ancient Spartans of Greece are exposed to programmed mental maltreatment and physically abusive practices. Through these exposures and societal narratives enforced by coercion and intimidation, aggressive warriors ready to fight to maintain their engrained desire to dominate or fulfill the military goals of the community are produced.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICS AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACIES

Democratic Republic The United States is a democratic republic. People elect representatives to serve in Congress. Most members of Congress belong to one of two major political parties. Each district has one representative. The representative wins an election by receiving a majority of votes. Citizens elect a president through an electoral college. Parliamentary Democracy Members of parliament win their seats through proportional elections. A district may have several representatives. For example, if a district has four representatives and one party receives 25% of the vote, that party will have one representative from that district. The party with the most seats in parliament chooses the prime minister, who leads the government.

Plato’s Five Regimes

The Greek philosopher Plato (428–348 BC) was a student of Socrates and a mentor of Aristotle. In The Republic: Book VIII, Plato discusses five political regimes: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Some scholars believe that Plato’s five regimes follow a natural cycle. Government will transition through five political regimes in order. Plato’s Aristocracy

• Plato’s aristocracy was based on the idea of rule by philosopher-kings, selfless individuals who have no interest in monetary gain.

Plato’s Timocracy

• Plato believed that a timocracy would arise out of an aristocracy if individuals who had been selected to serve were not of the best quality. New rulers would then be selected from the military. As soldiers, these leaders would not seek to protect other classes.

Plato’s Oligarchy

• In Plato’s oligarchy, much like in a timocracy, a government is ruled by a small group. But in a plutocracy, the leaders are wealthy property owners.

Plato’s Democracy

• Plato believed that an oligarchy could devolve into a democracy or rule by a mob mentality. In this form of government, rulers who mistreat the masses are replaced through open rebellion.
• In Plato’s democracy (also known as a mobocracy), citizens can choose to live as they want and have no concern for the law, very similar to anarchy.

Plato’s Tyranny

• ​Plato believed that the freedom of a mobocracy would lead to tyranny, in which one leader acquires power by bringing order to the chaos. Plato believed that tyrants would be overthrown through revolt or war. Should that happen, Plato believed that the tyrant should be followed by an aristocracy checked by a constitution and laws.

Greek Philosopher | Mathematician | Teacher 428 or 427 BC - 348 or 347 BC Biography: Born to wealth, Plato sought a political career after his mandatory military service. His plans changed when he met Socrates, from whom he adopted the examination of virtue and the noble character. After Socrates’ death, Plato founded the Academy, a school outside Athens. The school allowed Plato to write and pass his knowledge on to students. His most famous work is The Republic, a set of dialogues featuring Socrates as a teacher. The Republic examines different forms of government that have become the foundations for modern political thought. Anecdote: Plato’s given name was Aristocles. During his early years, Aristocles was athletic and enjoyed wrestling. He was given the nickname Platon (“broad-shouldered” in Greek). Over time it was shortened to Plato.

Plato