Review Questions Flashcards
What is a polis? What is a City State?
A polis is the greek word for a greek city state. By definition- a city-state, a social and political unit with a unified identity
How did Solon sow the seeds of democracy? why?
Solon sowed the seeds of democracy by implementing reforms he did this because during that period in time he was appointed Archon because of the economic, political and social tensions that were arising. It was his status as not being rich nor very poor but more of a middle ground in wealth that made him a great mediator between the rich and the disenfranchised
How did Pisistratus contribute to the development of Athenian political identity and citizenship?
He developed coinage (1 currency), public buildings, religious building such as the temple of Zeus that brought a sense of identity to Athens
How did Cleisthenes institute democracy? Why did he do so?
Because of the clashing with his political opponent, Isagorus, Cleisthenes sought the support of the Athenian people. This was because Isagorus was quite powerful by having the support of sparta and the aristocratic families of the state. As a result Cleisthenes was on the out for various reasons among the Aristocracy, it was not necessarily because Cleisthenes thought democracy was the best political system but it was the political system that would help him defeat his political appointment
What were Solon’s most important reforms, according to Aristotle? Why were these reforms so significant?
1) the ban on loans granted upon the person 2) the right for all to seek compensation on behalf of offended parties 3) the right to appeal to the jury-courts. These were considered significant because they were essential to giving the power to the populace and prevented decline in citizens with no slavery to debt.
What were Cleisthenes’ most important reforms? why?
1)Divides attica in city, mountain and coastal regions
2) each region has 10 trityes, made up of demes (villages)
3) 1 city tritys +1 mountain tritys + 1 coast tritys = 1 voting tribe
4) 500-man boule
5) 10 strategy
6) ostracism
These reforms were monumental because it forced cooperation across all regions, leading aristocratics could not just get together, but had to work it out amongst all the tribes and regions
How did Aristide’s contribute to the behaviour and activity of the Athenian democracy?
How did Themistocles contribute to the development and expression of citizen identity/ activity?
Themistocles contributed to the development and expression of citizen identity/ activity, by allowing ALL citizens to participate in military activity, this was based on the navy specifically where even the poor could row on the trireme (didn’t need to buy expensive armour and training) this was gave the poor a chance to participate in the war, giving them a sense of citizenship that they could enact. He also stated to a spartan general in disagreement that he could take the athenian navy and move their citizens to another land as it was the citizens that made a state and not the land itself.
City-state
a city-state, a social and political unit with a unified identity
Athens
Ancient Athens was a prominent city-state in classical Greece, celebrated for its cultural achievements, including the birth of democracy, philosophical advancements, and architectural marvels. Its influence extended across the Mediterranean, shaping the course of history in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.
Attica
the area around Athens, its surrounding territory and sub devisions known as demes. It played a central role in ancient Greek history, serving as the heart of the Athenian city-state and the birthplace of democracy and classical civilization.
Sparta
Sparta was a powerful ancient Greek city-state known for its military prowess and emphasis on discipline and austerity. Renowned for its formidable army and a society focused on military training, Sparta stood in stark contrast to the cultural and political achievements of its contemporary, Athens.
Cylon
Cylon was an ancient Athenian noble who attempted to seize power in Athens in the 7th century BCE. He launched a failed coup known as the Cylonian Affair, seeking to establish himself as a tyrant with the support of allies from Megara. The event led to political turmoil and the establishment of the Draconian laws, marking a significant episode in the early history of Athenian democracy.
Draco
Draco was the first recorded legislator in Athens in 621 B.C. He was a lawgiver known for making many laws, implementing citizenship to those that owned land and could bare arms
Solon
Solon was a social, political, economic reformer who held the title of archon in 594 B.C. He was one of the most important figures for democracy, although there was not democracy in his time he laid the roots for eventual democracy
Pisistratus
Peisistratus was an ancient Athenian statesman and tyrant who played a prominent role in the political history of Athens, he retained most of Solons reforms and promoted unification of Attica by developing coinage (1 currency), public buildings, religious buildings (start of the temple of Zeus) before meeting his death in 527 BC
Isagoras
Isagoras was the archon who held office the same year that the tyrants were expelled from Athens, his political rival was Cleisthenes. He was closely associated with the Pisistratus family. He sought support from the spartans with the aim together about 300 aristocrats to rule over the city state. He had great fear of the poor having to much influence and wanted to stop the democratic change that was happening
Cleisthenes
508/7, Cleisthenes becomes first Archon. Cleisthenes was the opposite of Isagorus, he wanted support from the athenian populace, resisting isagorus and the unwanted intervention of the spartans which is against the autonomy of the state. He was supported by a substantial group of athenians and introduce a number of reforms going against the aristocratic system. Although he conceived democracy he did not nessecarily believe in it but was only for his own career and the continuation of it.
Themistocles
Themistocles, (born c. 524 BCE—died c. 460), Athenian politician and naval strategist who was the creator of Athenian sea power and the chief saviour of Greece from subjection to the Persian empire at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE.
What role did founder-figures play in civic identity? In distinguishing members from non-members?
In the Greek polis, partaking in religious rituals and festivals was an expression of citizenship. To be able to partake in a ritual citizens, would trace their lineage to a common founder (heroic, mythological figure) this founder showed the descent of the people and created a sense of unity specifically in partaking in the festivals (non citizens were not allowed to partake), these founders were often worshipped as a hero next to the gods. If you could not trace your lineage back to these founders I gave you an entitlement to citizenship.
How did Greek poleis conceive of citizenship? How could one be a citizen?
to be a citizen was to be able to fully act upon the duties of a citizen, partaking in offices, judicial aspects, festivals and war.. to be a citizen of a state you had to have lineage and be of proper age (male)
What is demokratia (literally)? How do Greek authors represent this kind of constitution?
broken apart in two greek works Demos (people of a city and Kratos (strength, might and authority)… Strength of the people.
How do Greek authors criticize demokratiai?
Many Greek authors represented democracy with somewhat of a distaste. It gave more sovereignty to the poor and self interest became evident when compared with that of the state
What is necessary for a well-run demokratia in ancient Greece?
passage from dio and thuc behaviours of citizens plus 4 virtue values just and responsible states for the will of the people
Why did Ancient Greek citizens (and ancient Roman citizens) not elect
representatives?
participatipation had to had on citizenship, and your job to act, council 500 boule was preparing business for assembly, executive commit for larger body oversee and direct affairs of assembly,
What was expected of citizens in Ancient Greece?
What was expected of citizens in Ancient Rome?
How did the Roman republic respond to the potential challenges of democracy (e.g., mob rule, demagogic leaders)?
What are the strengths of democracy as practiced in the Roman Republic, according to Polybius?
According to Polybius it was so well balanced and blended that citizens themselves could not tell that if it was an aristocracy, monarchy or democracy. It brought equality amongst the system. Essentially held responsibility to everyone
How does Polybius’ account of Rome’s mixed constitution demonstrate the existence of checks and balances on the different elements of government?
Not only did the different elements of the government keep itself in check (democratic, aristocracy, and monarchy but also with the 2 consuls terms being limited and since there was more then 1 consuls are held responsible to each other with any citizen being able to seek the other consul if feel wronged by the other
How are Roman citizen virtues encoded in the myth of the establishment of the Roman republic?
Lucretia death was used as symbol, a metaphor for the people of Rome and what the kings represented. The citizens took an oath never to tolerate a king ruling over the city it was this expulsion of the kings that led to the forming of the Roman Republic
