Athens Move to Democracy

Athens Move to Democracy

The average Athenian was poorly paid, uneducated and would rather watch athletic contests than go to the theater. Yet, amazingly, Athens became a fountainhead of Western civilization in the study of history, architecture, sculpture, philosophy, and drama.

How could this be? There were many contributing factors in Athen's accomplishment as the society that would influence all to follow: Art, Trade, Law... But I think most of these factors are products of what is the most important creation of Athens: Democracy The adaptation of Democracy in it's most literal form possable allowed Athens to grow very rapidly. Instead of the influences of one induvidual being manifested into the growth of Athens, the ideas, opinions and creations of all the people of Athens were constantly being integrated into her society, forming a city made entirely by the people. This was a wonderful instance of the minority (the people) having control over the development of a society, instead of what was origionally the majority (the all-powerful leader) keeping his empire sterile and without innovative creation. With this drastic deviation, the minority became the majority (citizens recognized by the government by today's terms), and the massively creative element of the common man took over. Architecture and design was innovated at an alarming rate. Educated thought became prolifant, and some of the greatest thinkers of history were allowed time to think, generating a strong body of people who ignored the gods in favour of logical reasoning, giving birth to most sciences. And, with an allowance of creative time given to the common people, great works of art were created and constantly improved apon. Athens' move to a (mostly) Democratic society let the things we hold as important today fluorish. Art, Science and today's Legal system are all results of making the move to...

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