Athens

The Golden Age was of Athens. Under the leadership of Pericles, it turned the Delian league which it had led against the Persian Empire into an empire of its own, milking it of money to support its own building programme, sponsoring the arts and learning, and putting half its own citizens on the public payroll. The pillaged cities didn't find it so golden, so it wasn't Greece, it was Athens which got the gold and easy life.

Pericles was a great statesman and general who influenced Greece during the period following the defeat of the Persians. He expanded democracy so that almost all male citizens could participate in government. He created a system of almost complete fairness in government by choosing officials by lot. He expanded the economy by establishing colonies throughout area. Because Athens led the Delian League, Pericles influenced the culture of the other Greek city-states. He had them adopt Athenian practices, and moved the treasury from Delos to Athens. Pericles created a time of prosperity and strength in Athens, but at the same time stirred resentment from other city-states in the league.

First he decided that the Athenians should not be sold as slaves when they could not pay their debts. That was something for the common people. Then he decided that the people who owed money and could not pay it should be helped to do so. This also was a gain for the poorer people; but as they had hoped that they should not have to pay anything at all, they were disappointed. Then he decided that the nobles must let the common people share in the rule of the city. "I gave the people," he said, "as much power as they ought to have without cheating them any, or giving them more than was their share." But this satisfied neither party; as the nobles had expected to keep all the power for themselves, [135] while the people also had hoped to get it all for themselves.

So both parties were dissatisfied with what Solon had done, and the quarrels continued. But after these had lasted for some time, and the Athenians had suffered much on account of them, they at last came to see that Solon was right, and they did as he wished them to do. The laws which Solon had made were cut in great blocks of wood, that they might not be forgotten; and for hundreds of years afterwards these blocks might be seen at Athens.

Many people expected that Solon would not lay down his power when his year was out, and that he would make himself "tyrant" or king. But Solon was too honest to do anything of the kind. When his year was over he went away from Athens, and spent many years traveling. According to a story which the Greeks loved to tell, Solon came once to the court of a great king named Croesus. There the king showed him chests full of gold and silver and many other precious things which belonged to him. Then Croesus asked Solon who was the happiest man in the world, thinking, of course, that Solon would say that he was, because he had so much of what every one wishes to posses. But Solon named a poor man who had died while [136] fighting for his country. Croesus then asked who was the next happiest; and Solon named two youths who had died while showing great honor to their mother. Then Croesus was angry.

"And do you not consider me happy?" he asked, pointing to all his wealth.

"I count no man happy until he is dead," answered Solon.

Many years after this, great misfortunes came on King Croesus. His kingdom was conquered by the king of the Persians, his jewels were taken from him, and he himself was placed on a great pile of wood to be burned alive. Then the words of Solon came to his mind, and he exclaimed,-

"O, Solon! O Solon! O Solon!"

When the king of the Persians heard this, he sent to ask Croesus who this Solon was that he called upon. Then Croesus told him what Solon had said to him, and added,-

"Now I see only too well that Solon was right."

Then the other king had pity on Croesus, and set him free. And the fame of Solon spread so far that he came to be looked upon as one of the seven wisest men of Greece.

A great number of events. Check the Wikipedia timeline at the link below.

A very second rate position. They were virtually in purdah at home doing housekeeping and domestic takss and child raising and home manufacturing (eg weaving) They got out only for the odd womens' religious ceremony.

Some characteristics about Ancient Greek sculptures are to colour the sculptures, make one foot stepping more forward than the other *left usualyl in front of right), left leg larger than right leg, body positioned different compared to way head is facing and feet are facing, details of hair, eyes, mouth and chesr are exactly alike on both sides of the figure.

Athems was in continuous wars through the 5th and 4th Centuries BCE. Its prosperous period came after the war ended against Persia, but having converted the anti-Persian Delian League into an empire of its own, it came into continual conflicts with these 180 citiy-states each year, colecting the annual funds by force. The records of Athens show losses each year in these enforcement battles.

With these enforced funds, Athens was able to become prosperous, but continued to engage in warfare with other city-states, keeping 100 warships at sea each year. As a result of its interference with other cities outside its empire, it became engaged in the devastating 27-year war against the Peloponesian League led by Sparta. It lost this war, was stripped of its empire and the easy money which it brought.

It had a period of peace when it was incorporated into the Roman Empire, but never the level of prosperity that warfare had brought it.

Solon was appointed to counter the friction, and threat of revolution, between upper and lower classes mainly over debt slavery. He solved this problem, but it had little to do with democracy which is the people at large controlling government. That did not happen for another 90 year under the active leadership of Cleisthenes in 507 BCE who brought in an assembly where landowners, big and small, passed legislation.

Its policy of preying on other city-states made it a dangerous place to be when they ganged up to lay siege to and capture it.

Citizens were obliged to serve in the army and navy and many were killed in wars.

It had no medical defence againt the plague.

Alexander

From about 800-1800/1900 (onwards) most countries in Europe (and many in Asia) had a landowning class called 'lords' or 'aristocrats' that enjoyed enormous privileges that were guaranteed by law. In view of the huge time-span involved the details of the privileges varied over time. For much of this period the peasants were 'tied to the soil'. That means they formed part of the aristocrat's estate and worked instead of paying rent. They had very few rights but unlike slaves they couldn't be bought and sold (except with the land). This system was called 'serfdom' and the last European country to abolish it was Russia in 1861. Very often, till about 1850 in many parts of Europe, the aristocrats weren't only the landowners, but also judged minor cases. Often they could have their serfs or agricultural labourers whipped for things like 'disrespect'. Originally, until perhaps 1500, the aristorcracy was the warrior

Monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, democracy, radical democracy.

According to Aristotle:

Monarchy (Rule by One) which degraded to Tyranny (Rule by an absolute ruler)

Aristocracy (Rule by the Best) which degraded to Oligarchy(Rule by the Few)

Democracy (People Power) which degraded to Ochlocracy (Mob Power).

The Classical Period of Athens is referred to as the Golden Age because of the quality and quantity of art and literature that was produced. Pericles encouraged tradesmen, craftsman and artists to create large, beautiful monuments throughout Athens.

The Greek archipelago.

One could argue two different choices: Thucydides or Herodotus. Both men were Greek historians in ancient Greece.

Sparta did not initiate the Persian Wars. Sparta was very conservative about wars, relying on its reputation to avoid wars. It had problems in keeping down a restive serf population and didn't need extra problems if they could be avoided.

The Persian Wars began when the Greek cities of Asia Minor revolted against Persian rulership. Athens and Eretria intervened, and after the rebellion was put down, Persia turned on Eretria and Athens in mainland Greece, for helping the rebellious cities. This attempt failed at the Battle of Marathon and Persia decided that the only way to keep the peace was to bring all the Greek cities into its empire, where it could control them.

Persia bribed some of these cities into compliance, then invaded to subject the rest. A consortium of Greek city-states combined to oppose this invasion, including Sparta and Athens.

Athens was evacuated without a fight in 480 BCE as the Persians advanced. A small foce of diehards on the Acropolis was captures, the remainder fought alongside the other southern Greek forces in the navy and army.

They reoccupied their city after the Persian defeat in 479 BCE and rebuilt the destroyed and looted parts. They also built better walls to defend the city and its port, which came in good stead not against Persians but rather the other Greek cities in the Peloponnesian War fifty years later.

England & Northern Ireland. England defeated France on all front's in acouple of hundred years ago. The hundred year war, has not been a war fought in the expected and common belief of how wars are fought. I.E. World War 1 and 2.

Both were strictly ruled - Sparta was a limited democracy, Athens for a time became a radical democracy. Spartan citizens devoted their time to military training as they had a serf population to support them, Athenians did part-time military training only as they had to earn a living.

Yes, he proved himself in the field leading Athenian forces in several battles. He was also a good strategist who, at the beginning of the 27 year war withe the Peloponnesian alliance laid down rules that Athens would defend thir city walls and harrass the opposition with its fleey from this secure base.

This worked for a few years until Pericles died. His successors deviated from this policy into adventurous actions and eventually lost the war. We don't know if Pericles would have been more succssful had he lived.

what ended the greek's golden age was the pellopenesian war. wich caused diseases.

In order to vote in Ancient Greece ALL of the following had to be true: 1. You had to be Male 2. Both of your parents had to be Greek Citizens 3. You had to be a landowner 4. You had to be an adult. Therefore the following people could not vote: children, women, slaves, and landless men. In reality very few citizens could actually vote in Ancient Greece.

Six duties of an American citizen are: Obeying Laws, Paying Taxes, Jury Duty, Serve as a Witness, Register for the Draft, and Voting.