Ancient Athens Dbq Essay

Athens was not truly a democracy. The definition of democracy states that it is a system of government by the whole population. In ancient Athens the only people that were eligible to make decisions were citizen men. Women did not have the right to vote which contradicts the definitions of democracy. Only twelve percent of the Athens population were able to vote meaning that eighty-eight percent were left powerless. Metics were not even eligible to vote and they were a key part of Athens economy.

Democracy in the city-state of Athens occurred in 632-500 B.C.E. The Greeks invented the system of government. The polis is “the Greek city-state, an independent community of citizens not ruled by a king” (Hunt, 51). Democracy initiated real political power division in the polis. Athens is very important because it became one of the most known democratic city-states because “its government gave political rights to the greatest number of people, financed magnificent temples and public buildings, and in the fifth century B.C.E.,

The major ancient Greek city-states -Athens and Sparta, depict different forms of government which are; monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. Aristocracy and democracy were found in Athens whereas monarchy and oligarchy were more established in Sparta. Both cities, in a way, they demonstrated a tyranny form of government. However, in reality, these forms of governments were controversial and one could debate their existence in each city-state.

Many characteristics of ancient Athens prove it to be democratic. One piece of evidence to support this statement is that their constitution favors the majority over the minority. Also, they have citizens that have a right to partake and vote within the government. Their laws grant equal justice to all citizens. Social class does not interfere with merit, and

Greek democracy was best developed in the city-state of Athens from where the very word “democracy”, meaning “the rule of the people” stems. People ‘ruled’ by electing officials through lot and making important decisions by majority rule. Democracy was direct, meaning that the Athenians “allowed the whole citizenry to assemble in the central eklisia, or the equivalent today of the main city hall, to vote on important issues” (Makedon 1995). In this sense, Athenian democracy differed from representative democracy that is currently prevalent in most states, in which officials are elected through democratic vote and then given authority to make decisions for the people. In Athens, elected officials were paid, but the pay was very low so that it compared with the wages of the poorest citizens and only covered the compensation of their time and effort.

Picture a world of nothing but oligarchies, and you’ll see what ancient Greece was like. Ancient Greece consisted of a large amount of city states that were interconnected only via trade routes and alliances and, most of them, were almost all ruled by oligarchies and aristocracies. In 508 B.C., a city state set itself apart from the rest of the world by becoming a democracy. Athens, an influential “polis,” which is an ancient Greek city-state. Athens, which was located in the southeastern Grecian peninsula known as Attica, was the world’s first democracy. The Athenian Democracy lasted for 186 years, and even after it fell in 322 B.C., there were still traces of democracy in the Athenian government.

Was ancient athens truly democratic?I believe that Athens was never a democracy, because democracy means rule by the people. But that seems like that never happened, for example everybody should be able to vote, but only 12% of greeks can vote.

The Athenian democracy as all about the people and how they have all the power to decide on rules, provide growth to the people and treat everyone with fairness regardless of status, class, rank or lordship. Athens is not ruled by one individual, it is ruled by the people and not by politicians. Politicians in Athens is only meant to guide the peoples’ actions on what to vote for. Politicians can write whatever they like to change something for their people. However, it’s the people that decide if they will move forward with it.

The Athenians’ of classical Greece are given credit for being the originators of the democratic model …giving inspiration to all future attempts at this system of government. While it was practiced as a direct democracy, with all eligible citizens having the right to vote, the question of just how democratic it really was, must be asked. Who was eligible to vote and participate in political life? What role did women, slaves, and foreigners play in Athens? How accessible was the ability to vote? The answers to these questions will show that while the Athenians practiced a government in which its citizens had more say in their

Debates have been held about this question, many people having different opinions on the answer. In my opinion, ancient Athens is not a democratic government. People could argue that it is democratic by saying it is ruled by the people which it is, but the majority of the people do not. Facts show that only 12% of the population could vote. That means the majority had no power and no say in the government.

Modern Athens was constructed after 1834 became the capital of a newly independent Greece. Athens is curtural better because it’s control Atica + largest city state very high in there population region of greece. It a global cityLthe biggest economy centres in southeastern europe. The population use to be 664,066 within in administrative limits the land area is 38,96 km2 also in urban area in athens extends beyond administrative municipal city limits.Athens stretches on a large peninsula that is protected by mountains from all sides of the horizon.The first Modern Olympics was held in Athens in April 6 1896 athletes competed in one event a foot race other events were added, including chariot racing, boxing, wrestling and the pentathlon.

However in Athens, there is a democratic government. In the text it states, “On the other hand, Athens was a democracy, which ment “rule by the people” -”demos” (people or the masses) and “kratis” (rule).” This means that Athenian citizens got a say in their polis’ government. All in all, Athens in a better place to live because one can have a say in their

The government in Athens was a direct democracy, where any citizen, which was usually an adult male, could vote on or create laws. They could also vote on the state’s daily issues. This meant that the Athenians had a say in government, which made them less likely to rebel against Athens.

Use this study guide to prepare for the test. Remember, you need to be able to describe, explain, and provide examples for all of the questions. Writing one or two words will not show me that you understand the information. Since this is a study guide, you do not need to use complete sentences, but you must include all of the important information. Use a separate piece of paper for more space to write. Test is on Friday, April 22nd

Although having some common characteristics, the Athenian and Spartan were very different in many aspects. This means that the citizens of both city states took part in activities that were both different and similar at various times of the day.