the foundations of democracy a.ancient greece b.ancient rome
TRANSCRIPT
The Foundations
of DemocracyA. Ancient Greece
B. Ancient Rome
A. Ancient Greece
• The birthplace of democracy is in Athens
• Athens used to have a monarchy
• Then it became an aristocracy
• Then, when the citizens governed or ruled themselves, it became a democracy
• Democracy developed because of three Athenian rulers: Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles.
• They allowed citizens to vote and Athens developed into a direct democracy.
• However, not everyone was considered a citizen
• They also separated the government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).
• Democracy ended when Macedonia (country to the North) invaded Greece in 338 B.C.
• Alexander the Great then ruled Greece
• Philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle continued the development of democracy through their writings
• Natural Laws: laws of nature that explained how people desired self-rule
• Socrates – 1st great Greek philosopher to voice his beliefs in democracy.
• Believed in a meritocracy where those with exceptional ability (really smart) and moral character should be leaders.
• Plato – wrote The Republic.
• Believed a state should be ruled by the wisest not the richest to save the people from evil.
• They would be called philosopher-kings.
• Aristotle – wrote Politics.
• Believed men had a desire and need to live in a governed society.
Greece’s Legacy to Democracy –
1. Direct Democracy
2. Three Branches of Government
3. Natural Laws
• Rome discovered democracy through contact (war) with the Greeks
B. Ancient Rome
• Established a Republic in 509 B.C.
• Divided government into three separate branches
Legislative branch made up of the:
1. Senate which controlled foreign and financial affairs
2. The two assemblies
• Created the Twelve Tables
• A written law code that applied to EVERYONE.
• Romans believed citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.
Rome’s Legacy to Democracy
1. Idea of a republic
2. legal and political terms used today
3. A government of laws, not of men