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Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and Society, Seventh Edition
Marvin Perry, Baruch College, City University of New York, Emeritus
et al.
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| | Using Primary Sources
Chapter 3: The Greek City-State
The Decline of Athenian Democracy- From the middle of the fifth century B.C. to the time of its defeat in the Peloponnesian War, Athens was a city governed directly by its citizens. This did not mean that every Athenian participated in the city's governance. Slaves, resident aliens, and women were all denied legal and political rights. Nonetheless, during this period the Athenian state was based on the rule of law, and those laws were made by free citizens. Reread the passage from Pericles' funeral oration on page 66 and the excerpts from Thucydides' The Peloponnesian War on pages 68 and 69. When you are finished, write a short essay explaining the decline of Athenian democracy from the perspective of one of the following: an Athenian supporter of democracy, an Athenian aristocrat, or a Spartan military commander. Be sure to consider the following questions as you write your essay. How might these three perspectives differ? What might each see as the foundation of good government and an ordered society? How might an individual's views on good government and society affect their opinions about the most likely causes of social and political weakness?
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