Democracy and Oligarchy in Classical Greece
The Classical Greece period in history ran from 480-323 B.E.C. Greece not only includes Athens as its territory but also consisted of many Greek city-states. These city-states were located throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Although, there was distance from the center of Athens to their territories they still exerted continual dominance and collected annual dues from subject states. Athens was an imperial power due to primitive democracy. To successfully control the states, have free open debate of issues, and benefit the commoners of Athens democracy was the better form of government in classical Greece not Oligarchy. In order for Athens to successfully control all states and collect tribute from their subjects, Athens needed to be a strong ruling authority. The Athenian democracy was well built and able to maintain an empire, although Cleon, a representative of Oligarchy, claimed:... democracy is incapable of empire...your [Athens] empire is a despotism and your subjects disaffected conspirators, whose obedience is ensured not by your suicidal concessions, but by the superiority give
Socrates believed that a common man was not gifted enough to debate. On the contrary Pericles believes that not only is open debate by citizens beneficial to Athens but what strengthens it. "But to direct the government in company with those who have the means to be of service, whether with horses or with shields" (Theramenes, Hellenicia). Athens used free and open debate to ensure the best decisions for the city using the opinions of everyone, including all social classes resulted in the better decisions. Speech, debate and discussion are the only ways to solve problems. All the commons could benefit and live free due to their choice to vote. He also believed that oration could not be taught but, was innate. equal justice to all" (Pericles' Funeral Oration). This speech of Pericles refutes Cleon's statement. If then we prefer to meet danger with a light heart but without laborious training, and with courage which is gained by habit and not enforced by law (Pericles' Funeral Oration). The good citizen ought to triumph not by frightening his opponents but by beating them fairly in argument; and a wise city, without over-distinguishing its best advisers will nevertheless not deprive them of their due (Diodotus, Peloponnesian War, Bk. The Athenian democracy was very beneficial to the citizens of all economic classes because they were permitted to vote.
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