...and told me to look at the shiny beam and always think of my life as such. That was a nice gesture. Friends are sometimes hard to come by. I struggled with the issue of feeling free. A lot of my people feel we should be free as long as we follow the laws of Greece. Not to mention in 508 BC we became one of the first cities to establish democracy. Thinking back over how I arrived at the time in life I am, I think back to my ancestors. I have been told they originated as early as 5000BCE. Maybe even 7000BCE. I know my life is little in comparison to theirs but not much has changed. Due to our location, the soil was not setup for large agriculture so my people had to rely heavily on trade. Thank goodness my husband was and original Athens. That affords us the luxury of not having to pay those darn taxes. He is a metal maker, who helped make weapons. But the thing that makes me mad is he gets to go out and vote and yet I am stuck here mainly in the house. And not to mention he gets to go to the Olympic Games. Always saying he wishes he were in the house with me. Yeah right, I see the look of glee on his face when he leaves to go to the games. As well as when he entertains guests, I am not to be seen. But since that is not lady like, I will take all that anger to my grave. My only child went off to become a soldier. Well quite honestly, that is one of the biggest things they promote here so no surprise he went into that life. He was...
Words: 1002 - Pages: 5
...Thomas Curran February 15th, 2014 Western Civilization Spring 2014 Rashmi Chilka Sparta and Athens, the two greatest city states in all of Greece could not be more different. One is the yin the other is the yang, one is the great center of politics while the other a hard working oiled war machine. No two greater powers have ever lived so close to each other and coincided peacefully. Yet peace is a short term idea and one thing you can be certain of is that humans will always war with each other and these two super powers of ancient times were no different so every Greek eventually had to pick a side, Democracy or a Monarchy, philosophy or fighting, Athens or Sparta. Athens was like the California of the ancient world, always so innovative and open minded to a great many ideas. Athens was one of the first places to introduce democracy into a world full of feudalism and monarchies, not that all of the monarchs across the world were bad but overall the lifestyle was much fairer for the average citizen in Athens. The power came from the people and this made the people happy which is the goal of any government no matter what it is. Now Sparta was a little different, Sparta was a city focused on martial prowess, discipline and simply being physically better than all other. Spartans were the pinnacle and prime example of the Warrior. Every Spartan dreams of a glorious death in battle and to them dying any other way would have been seen as cowardly or weak. Once a Spartan...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
...One of the most historical wars was the Peloponnesian war. Fought between Athens and Sparta, the two leading city-states. From 431-404 BC. The fighting covered the entire Greek world. Although Athens and Sparta were at war for numerous years they have many similarities and differences. One of the similarities is women were oppressed in both societies. An example is women weren’t allowed to take part in government. Both also had Polytheistic religion. They worshipped gods of nature and emotions such as Zeus, Athena, Hades, Aphrodite, and Poseidon. They both held an event we still enjoy today, the Olympic games. Many events were held, including pentathlon, running, jumping, wrestling, boxing, pankration, equestrian events, and discus throwing....
Words: 398 - Pages: 2
...It was 404 B.C, and the Peloponnesian War, the war between the two city states, Athens and Sparta, had been going on for about three decades. Finally, with one last push, Athens finally surrendered, leaving Sparta to be the strongest city state ever to be seen in the course of history. Over the course of history, Sparta became invincible, far superior to Athens because women had more freedom than other city states, they had two governments for different times, and they lived a military life. First, Spartan women had more freedom and education than other city state women. At a young age, Spartan girls along with boys were able to all afford a public education, while in city states like Athens, women and girls had to be taught at home. Some...
Words: 338 - Pages: 2
...war that was fought by Athens and its empire against the peloponessain league led by sparta. The War shaped the waybyb. fI or how Greece developed after the war. There were 2 wars The Peloponnesian war was basically a greek civil war: Athens and its allies vs Sparta and its allies. although Sparta won, Greece as a whole was weakened and eventually conquered by tribal people of the north. During the war sparta told the other greek city states what athens was doing and they supported sparta persia also joined them to fight.In this phase, Sparta, now receiving support from Persia, supported rebellions in Athens' n and dehydration. in the war sparta was far superior to athens in hand to hand combat but athens was...
Words: 535 - Pages: 3
...The best ancient Greek city-state to live in would’ve been Sparta for many reasons. The first reason is that everyone in Sparta had rights. For example, women in Sparta had more rights than most Greek women, such as being able to own property. Even slaves had many rights of their own. According to the Athens vs Sparta History Alive Reading, “Spartan women had many rights Greek women did not have. . . They could own and control their own property.” Also stated in the Athens vs Sparta History Alive Reading about the slaves, “They could marry whomever they wanted, they could pass their names onto their children. They could sell extra crops. . . They could even buy their freedom.” Because everyone had rights, the Spartans in their own way, were...
Words: 377 - Pages: 2
...Coming of the 3rd phase: Archaic period Archaic Greece (750-500) Re-urbanization happens at the beginning of the archaic period 1. Colonization a. Colonists were selected by lot. b. Metropolis (mater polis) i. Political alliance ii. Economic ties c. Ionia (coast of Asia Minor) d. Sicily iii. Both are major centers of colonization (magna graecia) Trade and commerce would produce tremendous wealth. Phoenicians They see themselves as monopolizing. Rivalry between Phoenicians and these new Greeks. 2. Alphabetic Writing Writing will return to the Greek world during this period. When it does it won’t be like Linear A or B. It will be based on an alphabet that the Greeks borrowed and modified the Phoenicians alphabet. Homer- iconic poet of Greek literature. He came from the region of Ionia. Produced famous epics of the Trojan War. Legends of the great Mycenaean heroes. Different traditions focused on different heroes. Responsible for two of the great monuments. The Iliad and the Odyssey. Achilles Agamemnon Odysseus Hector Ajax Paris Helen of Troy Penelope Important element- arête means excellence. Surpassing Excellence. Achievement, accomplishment. Exceed potential. Also mental. Ex. Odysseus is smarter than anyone else. He outwits Gods. Virtue of this society. Also is very competitive. Forever contending against one another. Individualistic quality. Have to be the best. Character trait...
Words: 3988 - Pages: 16
...purpose. The essays are centred on Greece. Particular emphasis is placed on the states of Athens and Sparta. The aim of the essays is to show the contributions that Greek states made to the modern world. The world has learnt a lot of aspects from Greece, being they direct or indirect. One of the things that Greece brought to the world is the democratic system of government. Together with lessons from ancient Rome the world has learned much. Essay1: Differences in terrain and climatic conditions between Athens and Sparta Greece has many cities and towns, however probably the main ones in ancient times were Sparta and Athens. These two cities shaped the political life and history of Greece for quite a long time. The influence mainly centred on land and agriculture. For, about 90% of Greece production was agricultural in nature, with grain production as the dominant area. Incidentally, grain was a staple product and food of Greece. As a result the land that was used for grain production was a vital part of wealth and a valuable asset, for which citizens compete for. This essay is going to explore the difference in terrain between Athens and Sparta and how it affected agriculture and political rights, including democracy as well as how agricultural production had an impact on the distribution of political rights and the powers invested in various category of the Greek populace. Athens has many hills and rocky soils. This means that it has many slopes and up land. The land is...
Words: 3017 - Pages: 13
...God View of God a. One b. Sovereign c. Transcendent d. Good View of Man e. Created by God f. A rule or ethical system g. A choice or moral freedom h. Dignity and autonomy of human beings 4. Persian Wars – who fought, why, who won, how, significance i. Who Fought? i. Persians vs. Greeks j. Why? ii. Fundamental differences, East vs. West iii. Disputed territory in Asia Minor iv. Greece as a stepping-stone to Europe k. Who Won? v. The Greeks l. How? vi. Superior Military Skill m. So What? vii. Persians locked out of Europe forever viii. Athenian Imperialism ix. Delian League – Greek alliance between city states to prevent future attacks from Persia x. Launches them into Athenian Golden Age 5. Sparta –description, major contributions, contrast with Athens * Formed Delian league to fight against Athens * Experienced Land Military while Athens had an Experienced Navy * Athens was focused on cultural expansion while Sparta loved war 6. Cosmologists – role in origins of Greek philosophy, methods, examples, significance Methods n. Physical Matter o. Mathematical Order – Pythagoras p. Logical Proof – Mataphysics q. Mechanical Structure Impact r. Critical Analysis s. Systemized Knowledge 7. Plato’s Theory of...
Words: 1090 - Pages: 5
...Griyego Panahong Mycenean - unang bahagi ng kasaysayan ng Kabihasnang Griyego - tinatawag na Panahong Homeriko - maraming kaalaman ang nagmula sa Iliad at Odyssey - bumagsak noong Panahon ng Kadiliman nang salakayin ng mga Doriano Panahon ng Kadiliman - nahinto ang kalakalan at pagsasaka - nagkaroon ng maraming alitan at digmaan - humina ang antas ng kabihasnan ng mga tao - lumitaw ang mga polis o estadong lungsod, pagkatapos nito POLIS - Pagkakahating pulitikal ng mga sinaunang Griyego, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit bumagsak ang kabihasnan - May iba-ibang polis ang mga pamayanang Griyego, tulad ng sa Athens at Sparta - May matinding hidwaan sa mga polis kaya madalas nagkakaroon ng digmaan sa pagitan ng mga ito SPARTA - Militarista - Sundalo ang mga lalaki; tagapag-alaga ang mga babae - Parang kampo-militar ang pamamalaka - Hindi mahalaga ang mga bagay na walang kinalaman sa pakikipaglaban - Pinakamagagaling na mandirigma sa hanay ng mga...
Words: 970 - Pages: 4
...to these troops from the Pelopennese, there were the Boeotian contingents of 700 from Thespiae and 400 from Thebes. The Locrians of Opus and the Phocians had also obeyed the call to arms, the former sending all they had, the latter one thousand.” I think the reason it was made to look like just 300 men took on an army of 300,000 Persians and was almost successful, because this was a Hollywood movie and 300 vs 300,000 sounds that more dramatic and interesting. Another thing that I noticed is that the movie never really established why Xerxes has set out on this massive conquest in the first place in the film. The Ionian revolt is not mentioned at all and neither is the First Persian War which is strange in the fact that some aspect of background is usually incorporated into a film as to give the viewer a more in depth understanding of the nature of the film and its themes. Personally, I assumed he was trying to expand the Persian Empire. However this is fairly understandable as the film can be perceived as a western civilization vs. eastern civilization struggle with Sparta and her Greek allies representing the democratic Western world defending themselves against a warmongering totalitarian east who is set out for conquest purely on the basis of advancing their own empire and civilization. So it can be presumed that Snyder, The film’s director, omitted the reasoning behind the Persian invasion to...
Words: 746 - Pages: 3
...systems, Athens made democracy famous. Unlike other forms of Greek government, democracy put power in the hands of the population, instead of a select few. While this was quite a bit more diplomatic than other systems, even then there were issues that came about it. Athenian people were allowed to speak in government and vote in the assembly, but only male Athenian born citizens of 18 years could actually have any measure of this power. Even then, Athenian democracy did not maintain a form of egalitarianism, as the assembly could be swayed by popular leaders and talented speakers in favor of making decisions based on emotions. The Greeks each had a unique form of government, and many changed over time. They did not reach a unanimous decision on what was best and came up with a myriad of ones with different forms and functions. Some persisted throughout the generations, such as monarchies, while others were revived in our modern time, like democracy. The people of ancient Greece helped to lay the foundations for future generations to piece together their own forms of government and without them, we as human would not be where we are today. REFERENCE Cartwright, M. (2013). Greek Government. Retrieved on 27th June, 2016 from http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Government/ Kostiner, J. (n.d.). Aristocracy. Retrieved on 27th June, 2016 from http://www.britannica.com/topic/aristocracy Brand, P. (n.d.) Greek and Roman Civilization Reading Material Unit 1(Athens & Sparta: Democracy...
Words: 736 - Pages: 3
...Peloponnesian War vs. Vietnam War -Both were initiated because of the difference and collapse of conventional values. In the Peloponnesian War (metaphorical/symbolic) and Clouds aspect (physical) -Main message that if you stray away from traditional values or challenge the authority of old values, it will lead to consequences -Importance of key alliances – those with more power always won (Sparta and South Vietnam won) -There is the parallel of Pericle’s death in the Peloponnesian War and John F. Kennedy’s assassination in the Vietnam War – both were respected and held as important political leaders -In Clouds, Pheidippedes is forced to attend the Thoughtery by his father Strepsiades in order to win a debate against creditors. However, instead of acting exactly as his father wanted, Pheidippedes turns against his father and argues that he should be able to hit his father and mother like how his father hits him. On the other hand, North Vietnam was creating havoc by trying to unify Vietnam under communist belief but failed causing a huge number of fatalities. These two are similar in that in both situations two parties who didn’t want to be involved were forced against their will and it caused a bigger conflict than before. -In both Lysistrata and Hair, it talks about individuals who don’t want to partake in the war. In Lysistrata it talks about women who want their husbands and sons to be withdrawn from the war while in Hair it’s about individuals themselves who want...
Words: 401 - Pages: 2
...Athens Handout Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, (trans. by R. Crawley) 2.15 The Synoecism of Theseus: From very early times this had been more the case with the Athenians than with others. Under Cecrops and the first kings, down to the reign of Theseus, Attica had always consisted of a number of independent townships, each with its own town hall and magistrates. Except in times of danger the king at Athens was not consulted; in ordinary seasons they carried on their government and settled their affairs without his interference; sometimes even they waged war against him, as in the case of the Eleusinians with Eumolpus against Erechtheus. In Theseus, however, they had a king of equal intelligence and power; and one of the chief features in his organization of the country was to abolish the council-chambers and magistrates of the petty cities, and to merge them in the single council-chamber and town hall of the present capital. Individuals might still enjoy their private property just as before, but they were henceforth compelled to have only one political centre, viz., Athens; which thus counted all the inhabitants of Attica among her citizens, so that when Theseus died he left a great state behind him. Plutarch, Life of Solon (trans. by B. Perrin) Solon and Draco’s Laws: 17 1 In the first place, then, he repealed the laws of Draco, all except those concerning homicide, because they were too severe and their penalties too heavy. For one penalty was assigned to...
Words: 2617 - Pages: 11
...Paper about Thucydides versus Plato on the nature of the Good Life 1: Thucydides versus Plato on the nature of the Good Life. Some have claimed that Thucydides is making empirical claims, whereas Plato is making normative claims. Is that true? Support your answer in your paper. Plato and Thucydides together had strikingly dissimilar views on their tactic on the good life. Many have demanded that Plato is making normative rights, whereas Thucydides has made empirical claims. Let's first take a look at Plato. Plato's philosophy on the decent life was based on the confidence that all has an objective or use that is classically suited for asset, beauty, fairness, and excellence of the exact thing, and all will depend on the conclusion of that role. He reflects the decent life as being reached and finished by the flawless love and lack of wish. Plato states that the good life is the disorder a person exhibits regarding entire virtue. Virtue inclines to come after the nonappearance of desires, or prospects, so true contentment means being satisfied to the opinion one doesn’t have needs. He’s persuaded that everyone has the control to be virtuous. He too believed the gentleman and citizens are the formation of the City; they are it’s slaves and it’s broods, and the separate has no right to assert separate rights against the Urban. In his circumstance, justice is putative as a compromise, and appreciated, not as good in itself, nonetheless for lack of control to do wrong; no...
Words: 1614 - Pages: 7
