Module 1

Prologue: The Rise ofDemocratic Ideas

Essential Question:

How did the theory and practice of democracy develop and shape the world today?

Map of Ancient Greece

#1Key Terms: Define each key term.

1. government

2. monarchy

3. aristocracy

4. oligarchy

5. democracy

6. direct democracy

7. republic

8. senate

The Rise of Greek City-States Around 2000 BCE, the Greeks established cities in the small

fertile valleys along Greece’s rocky coast. Each city state had its own government.

A city-state is a political unit made up of a city and the surrounding lands.

As their world expanded, the Greeks evolved a unique version of the city-state, which they called the polis.

The population of each city-state was fairly small, which helped citizens share a sense of responsibility.

Ancient Greek civilization claims the distinction of developing the first democracy in a country.

The word democracy comes from the Greek words demos, meaning “people,” and kratos, meaning “power.”

The Acropolis in Athens

Changes in Warfare Changes in military technology increased the power of the

middle class.

By about 650B.C., iron weapons replaced bronze ones.

Because iron was cheaper, ordinary citizens could afford iron helmets, shields and swords.

A new method of fighting emerged called the, phalanx, in which a massive formation of heavy armed foot soldiers, in which each soldier protected another soldier to his left using their shield.

This formation required hours of practice and intense training that created a sense of pride among citizen-soldiers.

Spartan Phalanx

Warriors Video: Spartan Vengeance (31:15)

#2a Rulers of GreeceRulers Reforms

Solon(pg. 5)

1. 2. 3.

Cleisthenes(pg. 7)

1.2.3

Pericles(pg. 7)

1.2.3.

The Greek philosopher Plato (427 – 348 BCE) was the founder of the Academy in Athens. It was the first higher education institution in the Western world. He was a student of Socrates and went on to teach Aristotle. Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy. He had many views on the idea of an ideal state or government expressed in his writings. Here is a passage from The Republic (pg. 8).

“Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils, no, nor, the human race.” –Plato, The Republic

Answer the following:1. What does Plato believe needs to happen to bring peace to cities

and the to human race? 2. What is your view of our politicians in the U.S.? Do you believe

they represent the common American people? Explain.

#2b The Republic

Rome Develops a Republic

From Kingdom to Republic

In 509 BCE, a group of Roman aristocrats overthrew a harsh king and set up a new government, called a republic.

A republic is a form of government in which the power rests with citizens who have the right to elect the leaders who make the government decisions.

A republic is an indirect democracy.

At the time, only free-born males were eligible to vote.

Twelve Tables

In 450 B.C. , the Plebeians (common people) won their first breakthrough when the government had the laws of Rome inscribed on twelve tablets and set up in the Forum, or marketplace.

Plebeians had protested that citizens could not know what the laws were, because they were not written down.

The Laws of the Twelve Tables made it possible for the first time for plebeians to appeal a judgment by a patrician judge.

The Forum

From Republic to Empire

Republican Government

Read pg. 11

#3aReading Check: ◦ Answer the following:

1. How does an indirect democracy differ from a direct democracy? Explain.

#3b Roman LawImportant Influences

and Principles(pg. 12-13)

Written Legal Codes by Emperor Justinian

(pg. 12)

1. All citizens =

2.

3. Burden of proof =

4.

1. The Code =

2. The Digest =

3. The Institutes =

4. The Novellae =