classical foundations and colonial education
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Classical Foundations and Colonial Education. William S. Morison Associate Professor, History Department Grand Valley State University. Democracy in Athens and the Roman Republic. Ideals Institutions Thucydides, Aristotle, and Polybius. Washington and Zeus. Washington and - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Classical Foundations and Colonial Education
Classical Foundations and Colonial Education
William S. MorisonAssociate Professor, History Department
Grand Valley State University
William S. MorisonAssociate Professor, History Department
Grand Valley State University
Democracy in Athens and the Roman Republic
Democracy in Athens and the Roman Republic
IdealsInstitutions
Thucydides, Aristotle, and Polybius
IdealsInstitutions
Thucydides, Aristotle, and Polybius
Washington and ZeusWashington and Zeus
Washington andCincinnatus
Democracy in AthensDemocracy in Athens
The DemosDiscussion of Sources
Athenian Political Institutions
The DemosDiscussion of Sources
Athenian Political Institutions
The DemosThe Demos
Demos= citizens (male, free born, property owners, military service)
Demokrateia=“citizen power”citizenship provides
equal treatment under the law
Participation in government
Demos= citizens (male, free born, property owners, military service)
Demokrateia=“citizen power”citizenship provides
equal treatment under the law
Participation in government
Thucydides: Ideals of the Demos
Thucydides: Ideals of the Demos
Athenian general and historianContext: Pericles, “Funeral Oration”
What are the specific things that Pericles praises Athens for?
Why does he believe that these things make Athens great?
Athenian general and historianContext: Pericles, “Funeral Oration”
What are the specific things that Pericles praises Athens for?
Why does he believe that these things make Athens great?
Aristotle (384-322 BC): Democratic Practice
Aristotle (384-322 BC): Democratic Practice
Philosopher, biologist, political scientist
Identify the political institutions of the demokrateia as outlined by Aristotle.
Philosopher, biologist, political scientist
Identify the political institutions of the demokrateia as outlined by Aristotle.
The Assembly (Ekklesia)The Assembly (Ekklesia)
Met at the PnyxEst. quorum of 6000
citizens
Sovereign authority:Passes laws, may act
as judge, approve treaties, declare war
The state provides a stipend for attendance
Met at the PnyxEst. quorum of 6000
citizens
Sovereign authority:Passes laws, may act
as judge, approve treaties, declare war
The state provides a stipend for attendance
Council of 500 (Boulê)Council of 500 (Boulê)Steering committee:
Set agenda for the Assembly
Chosen by annual lottery, paid
Oversaw day-to-day government, boards, courts, magistrates
Steering committee:
Set agenda for the Assembly
Chosen by annual lottery, paid
Oversaw day-to-day government, boards, courts, magistrates
The Jury systemThe Jury system
Membership from a pool of 6000 chosen by lot annually
Numbers varied (201—2001)
Paid for attendance
Membership from a pool of 6000 chosen by lot annually
Numbers varied (201—2001)
Paid for attendance
KleroterionKleroterion
MagistratesMagistrates
9 chief magistrates (chosen by lot, limited powers); e.g., eponymous archon, archon basileus
10 Generals (elected; influential off the battlefield)
Committees, boards, etc.DokimasiaEuthynai
9 chief magistrates (chosen by lot, limited powers); e.g., eponymous archon, archon basileus
10 Generals (elected; influential off the battlefield)
Committees, boards, etc.DokimasiaEuthynai
How do we pay for this?How do we pay for this?
The ‘Liturgical’ Class
Required to pay for expensive public services
Examples: man and fit out a naval ship, pay for a chorus for a tragic play, etc.
The ‘Liturgical’ Class
Required to pay for expensive public services
Examples: man and fit out a naval ship, pay for a chorus for a tragic play, etc.
Ideals vs. PracticeIdeals vs. Practice
Do these Athenian institutions/practices support the ideals outlined by Thucydides?
How might they fail?
How are different social/economic groups affected?
Do these Athenian institutions/practices support the ideals outlined by Thucydides?
How might they fail?
How are different social/economic groups affected?
Food for thought:
What was the attitude of the Founding Fathers regarding Athenian democracy as a model for government? Why?
Food for thought:
What was the attitude of the Founding Fathers regarding Athenian democracy as a model for government? Why?
The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic
SourcesIdeals and Institutions
SourcesIdeals and Institutions
Polybius (204-122 BC)Polybius (204-122 BC)
Greek historian trying to explain Rome’s success to other Greeks:
What were the basic elements of the Roman Republic?
According to Polybius, what made this system effective?
Greek historian trying to explain Rome’s success to other Greeks:
What were the basic elements of the Roman Republic?
According to Polybius, what made this system effective?
SPQR = Senatus populusque RomanusSystem of managed competition (patricians)
Citizen interest groups:Based by law on property qualificationsWealthy, landed elite (Senatorial class)Merchants, landowners (Equestrian class)Farmers, artisans (The populus)
SPQR = Senatus populusque RomanusSystem of managed competition (patricians)
Citizen interest groups:Based by law on property qualificationsWealthy, landed elite (Senatorial class)Merchants, landowners (Equestrian class)Farmers, artisans (The populus)
The Roman Res publicaThe Roman Res publica
Republican Magistrates:Republican Magistrates:
Consuls and Praetors (S)Imperium, summon comitia, wear
purpleLictors, curule chair
Aediles (S)Quaestors (S)Special offices: dictator, censor (S)
Consuls and Praetors (S)Imperium, summon comitia, wear
purpleLictors, curule chair
Aediles (S)Quaestors (S)Special offices: dictator, censor (S)
Symbols of powerSymbols of power
Wealthy, landed elite
Former magistrates
Life tenureApproves
candidates for election
Auctoritas patrum
Wealthy, landed elite
Former magistrates
Life tenureApproves
candidates for election
Auctoritas patrum
The SenateThe Senate
AssembliesAssemblies
Comitia CuriataComitia Centuriata
193 centuries, 98 controlled by wealthiest classes
Comitia Tributa35 tribes, but only 4 are urban
All assemblies are called by magistrates; yes or no vote
Comitia CuriataComitia Centuriata
193 centuries, 98 controlled by wealthiest classes
Comitia Tributa35 tribes, but only 4 are urban
All assemblies are called by magistrates; yes or no vote
Plebeian AssemblyPlebeian Assembly
Ten annually elected TribunesVeto power
Plebeians onlyLaws passed affect all Romans
Ten annually elected TribunesVeto power
Plebeians onlyLaws passed affect all Romans
Patrons and ClientsPatrons and Clients
Patrons = men of higher statusProvide monetary, legal, political assistance
to clients
Clients = men of lower statusAssist patrons in elections or any way they
deem necessary
Bond of amicitiaQuid pro quoPermanent bond
Patrons = men of higher statusProvide monetary, legal, political assistance
to clients
Clients = men of lower statusAssist patrons in elections or any way they
deem necessary
Bond of amicitiaQuid pro quoPermanent bond
QuestionsQuestions
How do the values of the Athenian democracy differ from those of Rome’s republic?
If an Athenian democrat went to Rome, what do you think his criticisms of their republic would be?
How do the values of the Athenian democracy differ from those of Rome’s republic?
If an Athenian democrat went to Rome, what do you think his criticisms of their republic would be?