Transcript Politics and People after Persia

Politics and People after Persia
What did it take to be a politician
in ancient Athens? What happens
in the Greek world after the
Persian Wars?
Herodotus
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Three Intellectual Issues
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What is justice? Is it revenge?
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Who solves human problems?
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Polis replaces archaic world.
Truth vs. Lies
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“We know how to make lies sound like the
truth.”
Plato – purpose of good storytelling – to be
able to act on the truth embedded in the tale.
What might have happened vs. what really
happened.
Monumental History
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Heroic figures, set speeches (Homer)
Greek citizen morality, citizen soldier, divine
justice (rise and fall of prosperous states and
people) Lyric poets
Stories have a staged feel (Greek drama)
PENTECONTAETIA
479-431 BCE
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445 BCE
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Territorial rights
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No soliciting
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Arbitration
The Trouble with Athens
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Economy Expands
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Permanent Military Presence
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Aristocratic control of public business
and economy is diluted
Consequences
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Athens appears as a threat to other
nation-states (i.e., Sparta)
Political Prominence is no longer with
just noble members of society
Is Athenian Democracy
Compatible with Running an
Empire?
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Delian League/Why Delos?
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Allies(Thasos, Delos, Naxos) pay tribute
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Plato’s thoughts on democracy
Would the Athenians Have
Elected Arnold?
* Good looks
* Wealth
* Public speaking skills
* Family connected with
politics
BUT . . . the completion of successful military
campaigns & experience in the city’s affairs were
also required
What Else Do You Need?
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Power Base
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Influence in the Assemblies
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Generational Continuity
How did you campaign?
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Benefactors
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Monetary Aid
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Material Gifts
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Food Donations
Pericles (b. 493)
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Athens’ best and brightest (461-429 BCE)
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Superstition
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Military Experience
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Public building program
A plan of action
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Prepare for the worst
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60 ship squadron
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Citizenship opportunities
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Conservation
Cleon 430-422
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“Friendship weakens and perverts the
right and just choice in life.” Plutarch on
Cleon
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City vs. Friendships
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Spokesman for Lower Classes
The Myth of the Self-Made
Man
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THE REALITY . . .
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Different Class of Politician
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Prosperous Empire
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Educational Differences
Cleon’s Reforms
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Radical Speech
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Entrepreneur
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Philopolis
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Superfluous Training
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Politician-General
Which Is Better?
Seasoned Military General
OR
Ambitious, Dynamic, Prosperous Entrepreneur?
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The Athenians are about to find out . . .
Thucydides on Leadership
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“A lack of education combined with
solid common sense is more beneficial
than the kind of smartness that gets out
of hand . . . As a general rule states
benefit more from rule by the man in
the street than by intellectuals . . .”
Does someone like Jesse Ventura make
a better leader?
Plato’s Critical Viewpoint
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. . . You can still see the imprint of the
slave’s haircut in their minds as well as
their heads . . .”
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Upper class polish
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Education
Conclusions
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New politicians promoted the following:
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Equal representation for all
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Citizen felt loyal to polis
Schwarzenegger Moment of
Zen
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"It's the most difficult [decision] I've made in
my entire life, except the one I made in 1978
when I decided to get a bikini wax." –
announcing his gubernatorial candidacy on
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno"
"Don't worry about that." -on the
environment
"I think that the only way that you really keep
it a secret is by not telling anyone." –on his
decision to run for governor of California