Re: Topic 2 -- Early World History, Level I

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Date Posted: 05:06:09 02/21/02 Thu
Author: Brad Reed
Subject: Re: Topic 2
In reply to: Mr. Curboy 's message, "Topic 2" on 06:57:46 02/13/02 Wed

I beleive that Pericles had every right to "brag" about his wonderfull city of Athens because the Athinians had an "Ideal" way of life. I say tihs because in the handout, it says that the democracy that Athens had in the Antient times, was a peacefull city-state and should have been an example to others as how to act. Also I beleive that another reason that the Athinians desearved to brag is they were advanced, mentaly, compared to the other City-States. i say this because many of our mthmatical operations, formulas, and scientific modles/theorms came from Pilosiphers living in Athens. I would like to add that the Athinians, as smart and peacefull as they are, were not a peolpe to anger because the had a large and powerfull malitia, and were freindly with the Spartains. Lastly the Athinians were a hard working peoples, always learning and making the best out of the land that the had, no mater how roky and hilly.

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[> Re: Topic 2 -- Ryan Maclachlan, 17:36:00 02/23/02 Sat

As with most everyone else here I agree that Pericles was correct in some aspects of the Athenian greatness, but a bit to enthusiastic about other topics.
First of all as many others have mentioned, the military of Athens was not as magnificent as that of Sparta. Sparta devoted the entire life of any worthy (not killed babies or slaves) citizen to a life in their military. Athens' military was not the focal point of male Athenians. This is both good and bad because this gave Athens a better chance to advance as they did. However, the Athenian army didn't have the same Spartan might. The Athenians had a navy though, which was superior to that of the Spartans, which does allow Pericles partial credit in Athens military system. The reason that their navy was better than Sparta's was because Sparta didn't really have much focus on a navy, just a strong army. The Spartans eventually became fed up with the snotty Athenians, both sides made unanswered demands and war broke out. In 404B.C. the Athens went under Spartan rule.
As far as education is concerned, Athens held a far more superior postion over every other city-state. In Sparta, boys would learn the Iliad, but the reason for this was for war purposes. Everything in Sparta revolved around the military. The Athenians did not have such knowledge of war related topics, but they did learn elementrary reading, comprehensive physical training, and a great deal of music. Writing and learning about the works of Homer were also included. However, these were only for the wealthy boys. Teachers were rather lowlifes of this society though -- most being slaves due to being to old or weak to be a normal citizen. However, their contributions to the youth made them respected people. The studies of geometry and philosophy were for later in life as adults, not children.
As derogatory as I may sound about the Athenians, there is no doubt that intellectually they were far more advanced than any other city-state in Greece. All the famous mathematicians (Euclid), philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates), and scientists (Hippocrates) were from Athens. The Athenians had developed their own beautiful form of architecture, drama, literature, and sculpture. Even more impressive is the origins of Democracy which were started from both their government and Plato's "The Republic". Even after their conquer, they were still the intellectual superpower of Greece, and they were also favored by the Romans for their smarts, which were foolishly not used for fighting technology.
The Athenians have every right to be proud of their city-state and think that their military is superior to everyone esle's but just keep in mind that they were later conquered by the Spartans.

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