Question
HOW DEMOCRATIC WERE THE GREEKS?
Instructions: Analyze the three following documents and answer the accompanying questions, in red,
using your own words when possible. A Word Bank has been included with each document to help with
your reading.
Document A: Pericles (Modified)
The following excerpt is from a speech known as “The Funeral Oration,” delivered by the Athenian
general and politician Pericles in 431 BCE. Pericles was widely seen as the leader of Athens. He gave this
speech during a funeral for Athenian soldiers that died in the first year of the brutal Peloponnesian War
against Sparta, Athens’s chief rival. The Athenian historian Thucydides included the speech in his book
the History of the Peloponnesian War. Historians are not sure when Thucydides wrote down the speech
or how close his version was to the original.
Our constitution favors the many instead of the few. This is why it is called a democracy. If we look to
the laws, they give equal justice to all. Advancement in public life falls to one’s reputation for good
work. Social class is not allowed to interfere with someone’s merit, and poverty does not block the
way. If a man is able to serve the state, he is not stopped by the obscurity of his condition.
The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from
being jealous of each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what
he likes. But all this ease in our private lives does not make us lawless as citizens. Fear is our chief
protection against this, teaching us to obey the magistrates and the laws.
Source: Thucydides (c. 460-395 BCE), “Pericles’s Funeral Oration,” in The History of the Peloponnesian
War.
Word Bank
social class: someone’s position in society merit: talent, skills, or qualifications
obscurity: unknown or unimportant magistrates: government officials
1.Who was Pericles?
2. Why did he give this speech?
3. Based on what you know about Pericles and how this speech was recorded, what are the strengths
and weaknesses of this document as a source about Athens’s political system?
4. According to Pericles, what were the characteristics of Athenian democracy?
Instructions: Analyze the three following documents and answer the accompanying questions, in red,
using your own words when possible. A Word Bank has been included with each document to help with
your reading.
Document A: Pericles (Modified)
The following excerpt is from a speech known as “The Funeral Oration,” delivered by the Athenian
general and politician Pericles in 431 BCE. Pericles was widely seen as the leader of Athens. He gave this
speech during a funeral for Athenian soldiers that died in the first year of the brutal Peloponnesian War
against Sparta, Athens’s chief rival. The Athenian historian Thucydides included the speech in his book
the History of the Peloponnesian War. Historians are not sure when Thucydides wrote down the speech
or how close his version was to the original.
Our constitution favors the many instead of the few. This is why it is called a democracy. If we look to
the laws, they give equal justice to all. Advancement in public life falls to one’s reputation for good
work. Social class is not allowed to interfere with someone’s merit, and poverty does not block the
way. If a man is able to serve the state, he is not stopped by the obscurity of his condition.
The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from
being jealous of each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what
he likes. But all this ease in our private lives does not make us lawless as citizens. Fear is our chief
protection against this, teaching us to obey the magistrates and the laws.
Source: Thucydides (c. 460-395 BCE), “Pericles’s Funeral Oration,” in The History of the Peloponnesian
War.
Word Bank
social class: someone’s position in society merit: talent, skills, or qualifications
obscurity: unknown or unimportant magistrates: government officials
1.Who was Pericles?
2. Why did he give this speech?
3. Based on what you know about Pericles and how this speech was recorded, what are the strengths
and weaknesses of this document as a source about Athens’s political system?
4. According to Pericles, what were the characteristics of Athenian democracy?
Answers
Answer
Document B: The Athenian Constitution
The following excerpt comes from “The Athenian Constitution,” written by the Greek philosopher Aristotle between 330 and 322 BCE. Aristotle was the leading Greek philosopher of the time, and is credited with writing accounts of the constitutions of 170 different Greek states.
At the time that we are speaking, the people have secured their control of the state and established the constitution which exists at the present day. The democracy has made itself master of everything and administers everything by its votes in the Assembly and by the law-courts.
The present state of the constitution is as follows. The franchise is open to all men who are of citizen birth by both parents. They are enrolled as citizens at the age of eighteen. On the occasion of their enrollment, the current citizens give their votes first on whether the new candidates appear to be of the age set by the law. If the candidates are not of the right age, they are dismissed back into the ranks of the boys. Secondly, the current citizens give their votes on whether the candidate is free born, and has two citizen parents as the laws require. If they decide that he is not a free man, he can appeal to the law-courts. If the court decides that he has no right to be enrolled as a citizen, he is sold by Athens as a slave. If he wins his case, he has the right to be enrolled as a citizen without further question.
All the magistrates that are responsible for the ordinary routine of administration are elected by lot in the Assembly. However, the Military Treasurer, the Commissioners of the Festival Fund, and the Superintendent of the Water Supply are elected by vote. All military officers are also elected by vote.
Source: Aristotle, “The Athenian Constitution,” 330-322 BCE
Word Bank
franchise: right to vote and participate in government magistrates: government officials free
born: not born to a parent who is a slave lot: random lottery
5. What kind of document is this; primary or secondary source? Explain how you know.
6. What was its purpose?
7. According to the Athenian Constitution, who had the right to vote in Athens?
8. How did someone become “enrolled” as a citizen in Athens? Explain.
The following excerpt comes from “The Athenian Constitution,” written by the Greek philosopher Aristotle between 330 and 322 BCE. Aristotle was the leading Greek philosopher of the time, and is credited with writing accounts of the constitutions of 170 different Greek states.
At the time that we are speaking, the people have secured their control of the state and established the constitution which exists at the present day. The democracy has made itself master of everything and administers everything by its votes in the Assembly and by the law-courts.
The present state of the constitution is as follows. The franchise is open to all men who are of citizen birth by both parents. They are enrolled as citizens at the age of eighteen. On the occasion of their enrollment, the current citizens give their votes first on whether the new candidates appear to be of the age set by the law. If the candidates are not of the right age, they are dismissed back into the ranks of the boys. Secondly, the current citizens give their votes on whether the candidate is free born, and has two citizen parents as the laws require. If they decide that he is not a free man, he can appeal to the law-courts. If the court decides that he has no right to be enrolled as a citizen, he is sold by Athens as a slave. If he wins his case, he has the right to be enrolled as a citizen without further question.
All the magistrates that are responsible for the ordinary routine of administration are elected by lot in the Assembly. However, the Military Treasurer, the Commissioners of the Festival Fund, and the Superintendent of the Water Supply are elected by vote. All military officers are also elected by vote.
Source: Aristotle, “The Athenian Constitution,” 330-322 BCE
Word Bank
franchise: right to vote and participate in government magistrates: government officials free
born: not born to a parent who is a slave lot: random lottery
5. What kind of document is this; primary or secondary source? Explain how you know.
6. What was its purpose?
7. According to the Athenian Constitution, who had the right to vote in Athens?
8. How did someone become “enrolled” as a citizen in Athens? Explain.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
1. **Who was Pericles?**
Pericles was an influential Athenian general and politician during the Golden Age of Athens, particularly noted for his leadership during the early part of the Peloponnesian War. He is often regarded as a central figure in the development of Athenian democracy and is known for his oratory skills, including the famous "Funeral Oration."
2. **Why did he give this speech?**
Pericles delivered this speech during a funeral service for Athenian soldiers who had died in battle during the early stages of the Peloponnesian War. The speech aimed to honor the fallen soldiers, celebrate Athenian democracy, and inspire the citizens to continue supporting their city-state in the face of conflict.
3. **Based on what you know about Pericles and how this speech was recorded, what are the strengths and weaknesses of this document as a source about Athens’s political system?**
**Strengths:** The document provides firsthand insight into Pericles’ views on democracy and the principles of Athenian governance. It reflects the values of equality, merit, and citizen participation that were pivotal in Athenian society.
**Weaknesses:** Since the speech was recorded by Thucydides, who may not have captured the exact wording or intent, there may be biases or inaccuracies in the portrayal of Pericles’ ideas. Additionally, it only presents the perspective of a privileged male Athenian, not considering the wider population, including women, slaves, and non-citizens who had no political rights.
4. **According to Pericles, what were the characteristics of Athenian democracy?**
Athenian democracy, as described by Pericles, was characterized by equality before the law, where social class and wealth did not impede a person's ability to take part in public life. It valued merit and reputation over social status, allowing any qualified citizen the opportunity to serve in government. Furthermore, it encouraged personal freedom in private life while ensuring civic responsibility and adherence to laws and authority to maintain order in society.
Pericles was an influential Athenian general and politician during the Golden Age of Athens, particularly noted for his leadership during the early part of the Peloponnesian War. He is often regarded as a central figure in the development of Athenian democracy and is known for his oratory skills, including the famous "Funeral Oration."
2. **Why did he give this speech?**
Pericles delivered this speech during a funeral service for Athenian soldiers who had died in battle during the early stages of the Peloponnesian War. The speech aimed to honor the fallen soldiers, celebrate Athenian democracy, and inspire the citizens to continue supporting their city-state in the face of conflict.
3. **Based on what you know about Pericles and how this speech was recorded, what are the strengths and weaknesses of this document as a source about Athens’s political system?**
**Strengths:** The document provides firsthand insight into Pericles’ views on democracy and the principles of Athenian governance. It reflects the values of equality, merit, and citizen participation that were pivotal in Athenian society.
**Weaknesses:** Since the speech was recorded by Thucydides, who may not have captured the exact wording or intent, there may be biases or inaccuracies in the portrayal of Pericles’ ideas. Additionally, it only presents the perspective of a privileged male Athenian, not considering the wider population, including women, slaves, and non-citizens who had no political rights.
4. **According to Pericles, what were the characteristics of Athenian democracy?**
Athenian democracy, as described by Pericles, was characterized by equality before the law, where social class and wealth did not impede a person's ability to take part in public life. It valued merit and reputation over social status, allowing any qualified citizen the opportunity to serve in government. Furthermore, it encouraged personal freedom in private life while ensuring civic responsibility and adherence to laws and authority to maintain order in society.
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