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?