The Cradle of Democracy - Athens

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• Greece was not a unitary state - mosaic of political entities called “polis”
• each polis had a different political/ economical system -> independent/sovereign
• Attica (city state) + Athens (capital city) = Polis
• Classical Period 490-323 BC

Question 2

Unity vs. Diversity

Answer 2

Unity:
- common identity - Hellas/Hellenes -> all Greeks called themselves that
- same language but different dialects
- same religion - Greek gods (mountain Olympus)
- they asked for advice from gods - given by Pythia ( priestess) -> prophesies translated by priests that knew everything that was going on in Greece
- Olympic Games