1.1 GREEK ROOTS OF DEMOCRACY

OBJECTIVE

To understand what ideas arose in ancient Greece that contributed to the development of democratic values in the modern world.

I. RISE OF CITY STATES

Greeks lived in “city-states” and tried different kinds of government

King or monarchy

Aristocracy or noble landowners

Finally, power went to the citizenry

Sparta- military state, run by 2 kings, a council of elders and an assembly of all males over 30

Athens- the city state where democracy emerged.

Council of 500- legislature made up of citizens chosen at random

Assembly – all males citizens over 30 approved all laws

II. ATHENS IN THE AGE OF PERICLES

Direct democracy- citizens participate and vote directly, not through elected representatives

Jury-panel of citizens who have the final judgment in a trial

Believed in the rights and responsibilities of the individual

III. GREEK PHILOSOPHY

Philosopher- “lover of wisdom”

Used observation and reason Looked for “natural

laws”

Discussed ethics and morality or standards of human behavior

III. SOCRATES

Asked “What is the Greatest Good?”

Socratic method-asking a series of questions

Was put on trial and had the chance to run, but stayed and drank the cup of poison to show his loyalty to the state

IV. PLATO

Socrates’ student Wrote “The Republic” Describes the ideal state Believed in “philosopher

kings”, distrusted democracy (it killed Socrates)

Created a school “The Academy”

V. ARISTOTLE

Believed in: THE RULE OF LAW

Even the ruler should be subject to the law

Wrote “Politics”

People should live using the golden mean- no extremes

Set up the Lyceum- a school

VI. ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Tutored by Aristotle

Conquered an empire from Greece 2000 miles east through Persia

New mixed culture emerged “Hellanistic”

QUESTIONS

1. What democratic ideas arose in ancient Greece? (4 at least)

2.Describe the shift in power over time in the Greek city states.

3. What did Socrates, Plato and Aristotle each think of democracy?

4.Describ what “the Rule of Law” means. Who’s idea was this?