PericlesPericles

““Our constitution is Our constitution is called a democracy called a democracy

because power is in the because power is in the hands not of a minority hands not of a minority

but of the whole but of the whole people…”people…”-Pericles-Pericles

““We alone regard a man We alone regard a man who takes no interest in who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a public affairs, not as a

harmless but as a useless harmless but as a useless character.”character.”-Pericles-Pericles

Reforms Pericles made to the Reforms Pericles made to the Athenian DemocracyAthenian Democracy

Everyone was treated equally before Everyone was treated equally before the law.the law.

The power of the government was in The power of the government was in the hands of the majority of the the hands of the majority of the citizens.citizens.

Government positions were paid which Government positions were paid which made them available to all people.made them available to all people.

Ostracized those who didn’t participate Ostracized those who didn’t participate in the government.in the government.

Started the jury system – judged by Started the jury system – judged by your peers.your peers.

Jury SelectionJury Selection

Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy

““Never to disgrace my holy arms, never Never to disgrace my holy arms, never to forsake my comrade in the ranks, but to forsake my comrade in the ranks, but

to fight for the holy temples and the to fight for the holy temples and the common welfare, alone or with others; common welfare, alone or with others; to leave his country in a better state to leave his country in a better state than he found it; to obey the leaders than he found it; to obey the leaders and laws, and defend them against and laws, and defend them against attacks; finally, to hold in honor the attacks; finally, to hold in honor the

religion of my country.” - Athenian oath religion of my country.” - Athenian oath taken by all 18 year old malestaken by all 18 year old males

““I pledge allegiance to the I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of flag of the United States of

America, and to the republic America, and to the republic for which it stands, one for which it stands, one

nation, under God, nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and indivisible, with liberty and

justice for all.” justice for all.”