Legacy of Ancient Greece & Rome World History Dr. Robbins
Athens Builds a Limited Democracy First large democracy in ancient Greece democracy = rule of the people City-state was basic political unit Earliest forms of government in Athens: 1 st : Monarchy rule rule by one leader 2 nd : Aristocracy state state ruled by noble class 3 nobles elected as leaders every year by selected citizens
The Reforms of Solon Solon established important reforms, beginning in 594 BC: Ended debt slavery Increased participation in government Established 4 classes of citizens, based on wealth not heredity Even lowest class of citizens could vote All free adult males were citizens (only 10% of population) Wrote fairer code of laws & made economic reforms
The Reforms of Pisistratus The tryant Pisistratus expanded democratic principles Seized power in 546 BC Gave farmers & poorer citizens a greater voice Weakened power of the aristocracy
The Reforms of Cleisthenes Cleisthenes is considered founder of democracy in Athens, beginning in 508 BC Reduced power of nobility in Assembly Allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate Created Council of 500 which proposed laws Council members chosen at random
Summary Democracy started in Athens. Solon made the first democratic reforms, like ending debt slavery & increasing participation in govt. Cleisthenes continued reforms and allowed citizens to submit laws.
Changes in Greek Democracy Greek city states defeated the Persian Empire, gained confidence 1 st against Darius in 490 BC 2 nd against Xerxes in 479 BC Athens played a major role in the Persian Wars & became leader of Delian League Athens increasingly controlled other Greek city states
Pericles Strengthens Democracy After defeating Persian invaders, Pericles led Athens in a golden age from 461 BC He expanded democracy: increased number of paid public officials included poorer citizens in government established DIRECT DEMOCRACY, in which citizens ruled directly, not thru representatives
Athens, most famous of Greek city-states
The Acropolis at Athens Today
The Parthenon Temple at Athens, circa 450 BC Discus Thrower
What are the similarities? Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Renaissance Italy The White House
Greek Philosophers Search for Truth During the 4 th century BC, several great thinkers, or philosophers, appeared Used logic & reason to understand the universe & to seek natural laws for society Socrates: taught students to question beliefs Plato: believed the wisest should rule; wrote The Republic Aristotle: believed the middle class should rule & said man is a a political animal Greek respect for human intelligence & reason encouraged democracy Aristotle
What does this mean? It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered. Aristotle
The Legacy of Greece First known democracy DIRECT DEMOCRACY thru citizens direct participation (no representatives) Looked for natural laws by using logic & reason First to use 3 branches of govt legislative, executive, judicial
Summary The Greeks made the first known democracy. It was a direct democracy and started in Athens. Their philosophers looked for natural laws in the universe and wanted people to use reason, not just emotion or belief.
Rome, 4 th century C.E.
The Roman Forum
Rome Develops a Republic A monarchy was overthrown by Roman aristocrats in 509 BC who established the FIRST REPUBLIC Representative democracy,, a form of indirect democracy Chosen by citizens Legislature divided between Senate (aristocrats) and two assemblies (all others) Legislature makes laws Established the office of dictator, only for times of emergency & only for 6 months
The Roman Senate
Roman Law Even after an Empire had replaced the Republic, Rome maintained a a FAIR SYSTEM OF LAWS Applied equally throughout the Empire All citizens have right to equal treatment Person considered innocent till proven guilty Burden of proof lies with the accuser Unreasonable or unfair law could be set aside
A Written Legal Code Twelve Tables First collection of Roman laws, 451 BC All citizens had right to protection of law Code of Justinian Code of laws compiled in 528 AD from all Roman laws Influenced modern law systems Created a a government of laws, not of men
The Legacy of Rome Set up the first Republic, or representative government Established a system of laws applied to all citizens equally Rome preserved & added to Greece s s legacy of democracy Emperor Justinian
Summary Monarchy was overthrown and the aristocrats set up a Republic. A Republic is a representative democracy. They had three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. They created a system of laws to treat everyone equally and fairly. Justinian created a Code of Laws that influenced many countries.