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Athenian Democracy vs. Primitive Democracy
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Athenian Democracy vs. Primitive Democracy

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Questions and Answers

What significant event occurred in Athens in 403/2 BC?

  • The establishment of a monarchy
  • The defeat of the Spartans
  • The re-assertion of democracy (correct)
  • The formation of a new council
  • What was the impact of the assembly after the re-assertion of democracy?

  • The assembly could only discuss matters on the agenda set by the boule. (correct)
  • The assembly had increased power to make laws.
  • The assembly was completely abolished.
  • Individual citizens could propose laws freely.
  • How did the People’s Court influence Athenian democracy after 403/2 BC?

  • It applied checks on the council's decisions.
  • It could overturn decisions made by the assembly. (correct)
  • It had the power to create laws independently.
  • It was dissolved entirely.
  • What does the passage suggest about the nature of Athenian politics during this period?

    <p>It relied on a complex, formalized structure to manage state activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompted the first oligarchic coup in Athens during the Peloponnesian War?

    <p>The ongoing Peloponnesian War.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key limitation on citizens in the Athenian assembly after the re-assertion of democracy?

    <p>The assembly's agenda was controlled by the council.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a result of the second oligarchic coup in 404/3 BC?

    <p>The emergence of Spartan control over Athenian politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What question does the passage raise about the assembly in Athenian politics?

    <p>Whether it served to create substantive policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Thucydides highlight about Athenian democracy in his account of Pericles' funeral speech?

    <p>It is unique and serves as a model for other governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Herodotus, how did Greek democracy compare to foreign governments like the Persian Empire?

    <p>Greek democracy was characterized by liberty and civic strength.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Aristotle's belief about non-Greeks regarding governance?

    <p>They tolerate authoritarian rule without resentment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested about the Athenian view of democracy in the content?

    <p>They were critical yet proud of their democratic principles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did criticisms of Athenian democracy influence their understanding of political ideals?

    <p>They sought to explore new utopian models beyond democracy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary reason for the focus on Greek achievements in studies of ancient politics?

    <p>There are comprehensive records of Greek administration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the general attitude of the Athenians toward their unique brand of democracy?

    <p>They viewed it with pride and as a significant contribution to governance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What underlying sentiment can be inferred from the Athenian perspectives on democracy?

    <p>A belief in a collective superiority of Greek culture including democracy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should scholars be cautious about making general inferences from Greek texts?

    <p>Many texts and fragments have been lost over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of Greek democracy, what does the frequent juxtaposition by Herodotus signify?

    <p>An exploration of the ideological differences between democracy and tyranny.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Athenian democracy is notably under-researched according to the content?

    <p>The core principles on which it was founded.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Athenian Revolution' imply in the context provided?

    <p>A shift in governance and administrative practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the content suggest about the understanding of democracy in ancient Greece?

    <p>Our understanding of Greek democracy is incomplete and uncertain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge does the preservation of ancient texts pose for historians?

    <p>There is a scarcity of primary source material available.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about the fragments of Greek texts that remain?

    <p>They may represent only a part of a larger body of work.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following could be a misconception about Greek democracy based on the content provided?

    <p>It was entirely unique and without precedent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a judge who reverses his judgment according to the fifth law?

    <p>He is charged and convicted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the penalty imposed on a judge who reverses his judgment?

    <p>$12 times the claim of the judgment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who had the authority to try more complex civil and criminal cases in later Babylonian law?

    <p>The community assembly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature of the Babylonian judicial system is highlighted as being democratic?

    <p>Major decisions are made by the entire assembly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In terms of judicial duties in ancient Babylon, who besides judges was involved?

    <p>Elders and mayors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant right does the assembly have regarding severe penalties?

    <p>To pass the death sentence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The fifth law mandates a serious consequence for judges. What is an aspect of the consequence?

    <p>They lose the ability to rule on future cases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ancient civilization's judicial system is compared to Babylon in the content?

    <p>Greece.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group was NOT excluded from Athenian citizenship according to the content?

    <p>Noble families</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor primarily limited the inclusion of those with lower socio-economic status in Athenian citizenship?

    <p>Inability to attend public assemblies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement reflects the impact of education on Athenian citizenship?

    <p>Education influenced opinions in public debates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might people with disabilities have been excluded from Athenian citizenship?

    <p>They lacked military training.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of the payment for attendance being introduced?

    <p>More citizens were able to participate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In contrast to classical Athens, how were citizenship and participation viewed in the ancient Middle East?

    <p>They emphasized more inclusive practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the Athenian democracy concerning citizenship?

    <p>Categorical exclusion based on various factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a common factor for exclusion from citizenship in Athenian society?

    <p>Foreign status.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Athenian Democracy vs. Primitive Democracy

    • Greek democracy is often emphasized for its unique principles and historic significance, despite existing criticisms.
    • Existing records from ancient Greece, particularly from the fifth century BC, are scarce, leading to cautious interpretations of their political system.
    • Greek texts on democracy may reflect a biased view, focusing on Athenian achievements while overlooking or misrepresenting other democratic practices, such as those in the ancient Middle East.

    Historical Perspectives

    • Thucydides described Athenian democracy as a model for others, contrasting it against foreign tyrannies such as the Persian Empire.
    • Herodotus highlighted the concepts of liberty and egalitarianism within Greek democracy, presenting it as opposed to the oppression found in non-Greek societies.
    • Aristotle posited that non-Greeks naturally accepted slavery, further distinguishing Greek political ideals from others.

    Fluctuations in Athenian Political Structure

    • Athenian democracy saw significant upheaval due to two oligarchic coups (411/10 BC and 404/3 BC) during the Peloponnesian War, which weakened democratic power.
    • After the re-establishment of democracy in 403/2 BC, the assembly's power was diminished, limiting public agenda-setting and introducing the possibility for judicial overturns by the People’s Court.

    Judicial and Assembly Dynamics

    • Judicial responsibilities were delegated to various officials in both Athens and Babylon, with assemblies holding significant sway over major criminal and civil cases in both societies.
    • The ability of assemblies to issue severe punishments, including death sentences, indicates a democratic element in Babylonian legal practices, akin to those in Athens.

    Inclusivity and Limitations of Citizenship

    • Athenian democracy was not truly representative, as significant portions of the population (including slaves, women, foreigners, and marginalized individuals) were systematically excluded from citizenship.
    • Low socio-economic status and limited education further restricted participation in Athenian democracy, which was dominated by elite classes.
    • Ancient Middle Eastern democratic practices allowed for broader participation and different conceptions of citizenship compared to Athenian models, suggesting more inclusive approaches to governance.

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    Description

    Explore the contrasts between Athenian democracy and other forms of primitive democracy in this quiz. Dive into historical perspectives provided by Thucydides, Herodotus, and Aristotle, and examine the unique principles that defined Greek political systems. Consider how biases in historical records shaped our understanding of these democratic practices.

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