ancient governmental standards

Governmental Techniques in the Ancient World

Throughout history, many techniques have been used for organizing society. Experimentation with different styles primarily took place in the ancient Mediterranean world. Athenian democracy, Hebrew temple state, Hellenic city-states, Hellenistic kingdoms, the Roman Republic, and the Christian Roman Empire were all major forms of governance, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. To determine which of these forms was successful, it is impotent to look at each form’s chronological development.

The Hebrew State began as a loose confederation of twelve tribes. A tribe’s elders ruled it, and while there was intermarriage between tribes, there was no real political connection. They shared common religion, language and culture, however they did not owe allegiance to one ruler.

The roots of the Hebrew tribes lay in myth. Jacob, a patriarch of Judaism, is said to have had twelve sons, each of whom begot a tribe of people. Taking into account the legendary characteristics of each son, each tribe had specific traits. For example, the tribe of Levy were the priests of the Jews. They owned no land, and survived on the tithes of the people. The tribe of

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Plebians could win any governmental office, intermarry with patricians, and were no longer sold into slavery to pay off debt. Due to the proportionally large slave population, every Spartan male was a warrior. As such property owners, or citizens (all Athenian adult males) were essentially all equal in the eyes of the government, there were no real hereditary rulers. For defensive reasons, Rome seized the Antigonid kingdom of Macedon and Greece. Provincial governors regained some element of rule, weakening the Roman state. the commoners, or plebians, had won some measure of governmental control form the patricians.

Hellenistic Kingdoms

After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was divided into three, and later four, successor dynasties.

This meteoric expansion, completed around 146 B. The Empire died, but Christianity still flourishes today. Saul and David had forged the beginnings of a kingdom that would see its true glory in the tenth century B.

Strengths of the Roman Republic

The Roman Republic’s primary strength lay in its citizens. The actual governance of the land was left to roving magistrates, who acted as combination policeman and judge. Their religion was dominant in their lives, as they had rules and regulations for every conceivable situation.

Christianity did not have a profound impact on the Roman rule. Christianity expanded along Roman lines of power from an upstart Jewish sect, to a world power all its own.

Approximate Word count = 1938
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

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