Ancient Greek Government

Ancient Greek Society -Ancient Greek Society thrived from the 3 rd through the 1 st Millennium BCE. -Greek Civilization served as the center of Mediterranean trade, culture and philosophy -The Greeks developed important ideas in government that are still practiced today -After Greek Civilization officially fell to the Romans in 133 BCE, its democratic traditions lived on

Athens Strengthens Democracy -After the Persian Wars ( BCE) Athens emerged as the most dominant Greek city-state -The “Golden Age of Athens” emerged -Pericles became ruler and the greatest promoter of democracy in Athens’s history -Pericles opened political offices to all, paid jurors and gave all citizens the right to attend assemblies -Women, slaves and non-Athenian citizens could not take part in government

Greek Thinking Expands -As Athens moved out of the Golden Age, the city- state’s power lessened -Athens’ democratic “thinkers” did not vanish though B.C.E., Socrates began teaching reason and rationality…not religion as a means of explanation B.C.E., Plato, student of Socrates, believed that reason and wisdom should rule; not strength B.C.E., Aristotle, student of Plato, believed corruption in govt. should be prevented & power should be separated

Alexander the Great -In 338 B.C.E., Phillip of Macedonia, conquered Greece and its city-states -Upon his assassination, his son Alexander the Great gained the crown and began his 10 year conquest -Alexander was a trained thinker (Aristotle), general and ambassador -Alexander conquered much of the known world at that time -He died at age 32 (323 BCE) as one of the greatest military commanders in ancient times

As Alexander’s Empire spread, so did its cultural and governmental beliefs.