So, where were we… Oh yah, giving the Greeks credit for inventing democracy and discussing their techniques for expansion. Much of the democratic process developed in Athens under Solon in 594 B.C.E after a revolt which almost led to civil war. Solon allowed greater participation in politics by a wider audience past that of the aristocrats as well as abolished the practice of debt slavery. By 450 B.C.E “ all holders of public office were chosen by lot and were paid, so that even the poorest could serve. My interpretation here is that the democratic process was born out of internal civil unrest and active participation in the political process by a wide audience was developed to help quell this unrest. Makes sense, really for those who buy into the democratic process. Not sure it made a whole lot of sense to Cyrus or Darius I of Persia.
Of course war with Persia and a Civil war with Sparta who eventually defeated Athens weakened the Greek state enough to open an invitation of the Macedonians to invade and easily defeat the Greeks.
One sec and I will search for another plagiarized graphic off the web...
Athenian "Empire" 431 B.C.E
Even though Greece had to experience a civil war to help develop their political system, I believe of all the empires we have read about, the Greeks have been the most accommodating to their society.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very interesting suggestion, Mary. Anyone else have thoughts on whether the Greeks were the most accommodating to their society or how civil war shapes political systems in general? We're going to see a lot of that...
ReplyDeleteI think it is human nature not to change... Our lifestyles and culture most poignantly. Look at the issue of oil drilling... 45 days ago it was drill baby drill and now a little national environmental disaster and whoops... I said chill baby chill... Sad but true it often takes the pendulum swinging a great deal to enact change. Civil war and social unrest, can bring a society to its knees if not quelled either by force or by change. The Greeks at least had the forethought to see the problem and respond... or was it a case that they did not have the military might to quell the unrest with force?
ReplyDeleteA bagel with cream cheese AND an egg?! I gotta try it...
ReplyDeleteYah - was in FLA visiting my Grandmother - All she wants to do is feed me... Thinks I am too skinny...
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