Ancient Roots of Democracy I Athens Direct Democracy

Ancient Roots of Democracy

I. Athens & Direct Democracy Ancient Greece was divided into city-states. Most were ruled by a king or a military dictator. Athens practiced direct democracy (ca. 500 -350 b. c. )

I. Athens & Direct Democracy (cont. ) Suffrage was limited. Slavery was common. Weakened by war, Athens was eventually conquered.

The Parthenon

U. S. Supreme Court

White House

Capitol Building

II. The Roman Republic The ancient Romans had a republic that lasted nearly 500 years. (ca. 500 -44 b. c. ) Citizens elected a Senate. As in Athens, women couldn’t vote, slavery was common.

II. The Roman Republic (cont. ) Military success led to the creation of a large empire. People in conquered lands were made citizens of Rome. After Julius Caesar, Rome became a military dictatorship.

The Roman Empire

III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition Athens and Rome were polytheistic. Ancient Hebrews were monotheistic.

III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont. ) Some of the principles of Monotheism: 1) Individual worth. 2) Equality. 3) Adherence to a moral code (10 Commandments).

III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont. ) Ancient Hebrews were an insular people. Christianity arose from Judaism. Christians were evangelical.

III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont. ) Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome in 312. Centuries later, Europeans would take Christianity all over the world.

The Americas ca. 1750