Greece,+Rome,+Judeo-Christianity

=**Foundations of Democratic Thought: Athens and Rome**= =**World History, Culture, and Geography**=

I Athens, GREECE
• Came to power in 594 BCE • Reorganized the government and economy to allow for **upward social mobility** • If a man could increase his income, he could be eligible for office • Reforms are moderate and no one is happy – not enough for the poor, too much for the nobility.
 * Solon**

• Came to power in 460 BCE • Believed that government officials should be chosen based upon abilities – not wealth or family • Set up the jury system • Often considered the father of democracy
 * Pericles**


 * Greek Government Structure**
 * Three major components:**
 * 1) **• The Assembly**
 * 2) **• The Council of 500**
 * 3) **• The Board of Generals**

1. The Assembly • Any male citizen over eighteen who could attend the meetings held thirty-five times a year – every one to two weeks • Anyone could speak at the Assembly, however it was a tough crowd unless you were a highly respected citizen. • Members could present laws • Everyone in attendance voted on the laws

2. Council of 500 • Athens & the surrounding countryside divided into ten demes or tribes. • Each demes selected by lot fifty men who were at least thirty years old to sit on the Council • Members served one year terms, could not serve two consecutive terms, and could only serve twice overall • These term limitation rules ensured that many different citizens would participate and that no individual would have too much power • Being on the Council was a full-time job; members were paid • The Council prepared the agenda for the Assembly meetings, researched the resolutions for possible problems, and made recommendations

3. Board of Generals • These men replaced the Archons who had obtained power through wealth and nobility • Each of the demes elected one member to the ten person board • Job included the execution and enforcement of laws and resolutions passed by the Assembly • These were the only elected positions in Athens

He found flaws with all of them and thus concluded that none were suitable systems of government. **Wanted a philosopher- king ruling**!
 * Plato**- In his book **//The Republic//** divided governments into four basic types:
 * [|democracy] - government by the many- criticized this as causing corruption of the people through a mob rule of popularity, rather than wisdom.
 * [|oligarchy] - government by the few (often called aristocracy, i.e. government by the best)
 * [|timocracy] - government by socio-military complexes (i.e., the form of government used in [|Sparta])
 * [|monarchy]/[|tyranny] - government by the one

Aristotle- Agrees that rule should come from aristocracy but should be a blend of government forms. Democracy would only work with a massive, educated middle class. Belief that humans learn to be good and **have a duty to be involved with politics.**

• Juries drawn from 6000 citizens • Size varied, but were at least 201 people • Jurors were paid for their service • No attorneys: accused and accuser spoke on their own behalf • The trials lasted a single day to avoid any chance of corruption in the jury • There were no appeals and all judgments were final • Non-citizens were represented by owners or employers – could not represent themselves.
 * Judicial System**

• The Athenian democratic government was revolutionary, but we must not idealize it • Of a city of 250,000 – there were only 45,000 citizens • Women had no political or social voice and were regulated to domestic affairs • Resident aliens and slaves also had no political voice • Only about 6000 citizens regularly participated in the Assembly (about 13%) – compare that to modern voter turnouts • Athens participated in the colonization of the Mediterranean region and later forced neighboring city-states to pay to keep the Delian League up and running
 * Contradictions**

III The Roman Republic
Foundations • The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BCE when the Etruscan king was forced out • res publica means “public affairs” • First **representative government**
 * • Republic** – A government where citizens have the right to elect leaders who make government decisions

Social Classes • **Plebeians** – Commoners of Rome, including merchants and farmers • Slaves – Prisoners of war, debtors, and criminals Power Struggle • Initially Patricians held all of the power • Plebeians had no rights, and all of the laws strongly favored the Patricians • During the “Conflict of Orders,” the **Plebeians struggle to gain social, economic, and political equality** • As Rome begins to expand its dominion the Plebeians become more valuable as soldiers • Patricians eventually trade political rights for military service – the Assembly is set up
 * • Patricians** – Wealthy landowners, usually part of the nobility

Government Structure • **Three branch system** (legislative, judicial, executive created) • Each branch had different powers and relied upon the other to be successful and efficient • An early form of **checks and balances**

Branches • Usually Patricians and military generals • Elected for one year terms, but they could be re-elected • During a national crisis, the consuls could appoint a temporary dictator to make quick decisions • Patricians selected by the two consuls, served life terms • Were the most influential citizens in Rome • Patricians and Plebeians elected into office • The assembly held some power, but not enough to make any significant changes
 * 1. Two Consuls- Executive**
 * 2. Senate**
 * 3. Assembly**

• Brought system of laws to conquered lands • Laws published universally • All citizens received equal treatment before the law • A person was innocent until proven guilty • Burden of proof stood with the accuser Notes: The Judeo-Christian Tradition and Democratic Thought World History, Culture, and Geography
 * Roman Laws**

III The Judeo Christian Tradition
• Many of Christ’s teachings were based upon fundamental Jewish beliefs • Unlike Judaism, Christianity became a “universal” religion with leaders **seeking conversions** • Ideas from both religions form a foundation for modern democratic thought.

• Believe in a monotheistic god • Each person has an individual relationship with God • Individuals believe they have a covenant with God in which He would protect them and they would in turn follow the Ten Commandments and numerous other religious laws • God was just because of His religious laws • A high standard of moral conduct • A religion of justice, morality, and individual relationship with God
 * Judaism**

• God's kingdom open to all • Should love your fellow human beings ("Golden Rule") • Teachings of love, **equality**, and equal salvation would attract poor, powerless, and women (mass movement)
 * Christianity**