Sources of the Democratic Tradition Section 1: The Greek Roots of Democracy

Ancient Greece

The Rise of Greek City-States Mountains and sea separate Greek city-states, which remained fiercely independent. Colonies all around the Mediterranean by 750 B.C.

The city-state, or polis, Acropolis for temples Lower walled city Different forms of government evolved

The Persian Wars Darius I sent forces to crush Athens. Athenians won a battle near Marathon Later joined forces with other city-states to defeat Persia.

Democracy evolved gradually Athenian Democracy Democracy evolved gradually Solon Cleisthenes Pericles Women and slaves not equal

Athens in the Age of Pericles “Golden age” under the leadership of Pericles. Direct democracy: every citizen votes directly Individual achievement, dignity, and worth are of great importance.

PERICLES

Ended Athens’ domination of Greece. The Peloponnesian War Athenian empire Athens v Sparta Sparta= military state Ended Athens’ domination of Greece.

The Greek Philosophers Universal truths Better government and proper ethics. Among the most influential philosophers were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates: “The unexamined. life is not worth living” Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Used the Socratic method of questioning

Plato wrote The Republic and believed in government by the wisest philosopher kings

Aristotle Examined nature of world and human belief, thought, and knowledge From Politics-” Man is by nature a political animal: it is in his nature to live in a state”

School of Athens

THE SPREAD OF GREEK CULTURE Alexander the Great was Aristotle's student Alexander conquered the known world

Alexander and Aristotle

Alexander and the Hellenistic Age Macedonian ruler Philip II’ s son, Alexander the Great, created an enormous empire that stretched into Persia and Egypt.

Alexander’s conquests Spread Greek culture Mixing of cultures created new Hellenistic civilization that blended Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures..