Solon Vs Solon

Solon’s poetry shows that he has similar values as Herodotus. In his poetry, Solon says that he desires wealth, but that he knows that wealth held the wrong way often results in retribution. Solon also writes about how fate is unavoidable and unpredictable, anything could happen whether it’s good or bad. Therefore, Solon is a useful character to convey the message about Croesus because Herodotus can use a person in history whose beliefs support his own. Herodotus uses Solon to blatantly state that having more wealth is not everything and to inform Croesus that he should be less greedy and to think about what fate could have in store.

Solon and his reforms are excellent examples of how Athens developed the road to democracy, and how the benefits of these reforms make Solon superior to Lycurgus as a ruler. Solon, a man of middle ground, was urged forward by the people to rule over them and to settle differences between the rich and the poor. “Solon, on the other hand, could not go to such extremes in his constitution, since he was a man of modest fortune and had been chosen by the people. Yet he made full use of his power, relying on the good will of the

In ancient Greece there were two major polises which allowed the Greek culture to achieve greatness during the 400-500 B.C.E. era. These two polises were Athens and Sparta; both city states differed in many ways before the start of the Persian War. There were low rugged mountains that separated these two city states so communication and travel were difficult. The government of these two city states can be seen as a primary difference between the two. Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleithenes were four leaders that greatly influenced the political development of Athens. Athens and Sparta differed primarily in their political, social, and economical aspects. But there were other difference that Athens and Sparta share which I will examine in this essay.

Thesis: The period between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars can be considered the Golden Age of Athens. It was the golden age because Athens thrived in multiple characteristics of an empire. Context:

One of the basic themes of the book is that the thought and the art of classical Athens is full of meaning for people of later generations. It is the full of meaning for nations, cultures and societies beset by broad-scale and profound social and political change and the accompanying confusion and fear produced in the minds and souls of human beings.

The shaky past of Athens, after the loss of the war against the Spartans and the overthrow of the democracy they loved and fought for caused suspicion in Socrates who had association to Critas, a bloodthirsty tyrant in an oligarchy called the “Thirty Tyrants” From a harmless town character Socrates influence on the youth of Athens was being questioned.

Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian war served as a window into Athenian societal culture. Carrying the reader from Pericles' moving speech to the assembly, through Cleon and Diodotus' oratory battle over the fate of Mytilene, and finally to the Athenian proposal to the Melians, Thucydides detailed the transformation of Athens from a state based on justice and freedom to a empire with a corrupted soul. This corruption did not occur over night, but was the result of increasing tyrannical behavior by the part of Athens in its interactions with other Greek city states. The stages of this development can be analyzed into three parts: Pericles' war speech, the dialogue on Mytilene, and the Melian debate.

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to address the topic ‘Athens under the Peisistratid Tyranny’ to you all at the Ancient History Teachers’ Association of Australia today. The Peisistratid Tyranny includes the succession of three tyrant in Ancient Greece; Peisistratus, Hippias and Hipparchus from 561-510 BCE. Peisistratus ruled Ancient Athens as a tyrant several times, in 561, 559-556 and 546 BCE until his death in 528 BCE. His tyranny, as well as tyranny as a concept and form of political control, have been viewed in a negative way, being seen as oppressive, dictatorial leaders who abuse their citizens. However, the growth in Ancient Athens, both socially and economically, during his reign contradict the common views of tyranny.

position in society. In addition, the downfall of a tragic hero is caused by fault of their own, often

In Book II of Plato’s Republic, Glaucon and Adeimantus present a challenge to Socrates’ view of justice. Previously, in Book I of the Republic, Socrates presents several counterarguments to Thrasymachus’ belief that it is to your own advantage to practice injustice rather than to follow laws, if you can get away with it (Babcock). Glaucon and Adeimantus sought to present a stronger defense to Thrasymachus’ view. The main viewpoint they try to establish is that it is to our advantage to practice injustice rather than justice and that the good life is the life of injustice (Babcock). Several arguments are used to reinforce the central view through use of the Ring of Gyges story, an account of the origin of justice, a classification of

Consider, for example, Pericles’ assertion that law is “all things…that the assembled multitude has approved and written, pointing out what should and should not be done” (1.2.42). Alcibiades’ then asks Pericles “what if it is not the multitude, but the resembled few who write [the law]? What is this this?” (1.2.43); Pericles concedes that is too can be considered as law (1.2.43). Alcibiades then asks “what [then becomes of] violence and lawlessness? Is it not when one who is stronger compels one who is weaker not by persuasion but by the use of violence?” (1.2.44). Pericles revises his initial position by stating that “everything…that one compels someone to do without persuading him…is violence rather than law” (1.2.45). Alcibiades, inspired by Pericles’ revision, then asks him if “whatever the whole multitude writes…when it overpowers those having wealth, would be violence rather than law?” (1.2.45). Pericles completely dodges the question, applauds Alcibiades’ youth and cleverness, and makes a remark about how he himself was once like Alcibiades (1.2.46). Finally, Alcibiades states “…I could have been your companion at the time, Pericles, when you where at your cleverest” (1.2.46).

Democracy was a revolutionary idea that moved the shaping of the law into the hands of many rather than a select few, or, in some cases, one tyrant or monarch. Politeia, which refers to both the literal city-states of Ancient Greece and the metaphorical and philosophical idea of citizens’ rights as expressed by Plato and other philosophers of the time, takes that idea of “power to the people” to a higher, more sacred level. Political participation was woven into the daily life of an Athenian citizen: emphasis was placed on the common good rather than the individual in a “radical egalitarianism, not in circumstances, but in responsibility”-- responsibility for the people (at least the people who were eligible) to shape the law around maintaining Athens’ values of valor, intellectualism, and patriotism. Civic engagement was an important expression of one’s identity and devotion to Greek society, and this paper will explore how that sacred dedication to civic engagement could have been a primary motivation in building--and creating the visuals of-- the Parthenon.

    In Sophocle's Oedipus the King and William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the unruly forces surrounding the protagonists are the source for their downfall. Fate, women, and divine intervention are the foundation for the protagonists' demise. The protagonists are powerless against these elements, and for that reason, are not responsible for their finish.

Introduced as “a conqueror…greater” than any other “beneath the sun,” Thesëus, the wise and chivalrous lord Athens, is a merciful and noble duke (Chaucer 24). As a wise and noble leader, Thesëus, with a “heart of pity,” mends the ailments of his people, “ as he [is] a true knight.” (26).

In this paper, I intend to explore the conflicts that arose between those of the aristocratic society, and those who composed the vast number of peasants before, as well as after the life and times of Solon, and the effect and solutions that Solon’s rule had concerning these conflicts. Such major conflicts between peasants and aristocrats include, [but are not limited to] land and slavery (Trumbach). Though, these laws will be explored further later on in this essay. The ruler, Solon imposed a number of laws in order to rectify the problems that were arising between aristocrats and peasants, as well as to mold Athenian society in a much more citizen-oriented way of living (Trumbach). Such laws included relieving the prior debts that