Great People of Athens
So many notable people came from the city of Athens; it would take several lifetimes to learn them all. Many great philosophers, artists, architects, and writers lived in the city, making it the "Cradle of Western Civilization" and the world center of the arts. Many great works and architectural feats, some of the best in the entire world, come from Athens and the Athenian people. Athenians invented great things, such as comedic and tragic styles of theater, democracy, Trireme, and so many other things. Some of the greatest people of the Ancient World come from Athens, Including, but not limited to, Solon, Cleisthenes, Pericles, Socrates, and Plato.
Solon
Solon was a very popular lawmaker and statesman; he was born in 638 BC and made many very important political reforms during his time. While many things he put into place were unsuccessful, he is credited having brought about the foundations of democracy.
Not much is known about his life before his political career, but he is said to have been very wise which put him above his peers. He started his career in a time of turmoil and social, economic, and political decline in Athens. The system of the 9 Archons was failing and needed serious reforms. Solon was elected into the position of Archon in 594 BC. He was later given a high position among the Archons because they believed he could bring great change to Athens. He started by releasing many poor people from debt, ending debt slavery, established a court of appeals, and redefined political rights by wealth instead of birth. He used a system based on wealth to pick who could run for offices. The two richest of 4 groups could hold public office while the others too sat in an assembly that elected those officials. This was the first government system to include all the people, not just the aristocrats and wealthy.
Not much is known about his life before his political career, but he is said to have been very wise which put him above his peers. He started his career in a time of turmoil and social, economic, and political decline in Athens. The system of the 9 Archons was failing and needed serious reforms. Solon was elected into the position of Archon in 594 BC. He was later given a high position among the Archons because they believed he could bring great change to Athens. He started by releasing many poor people from debt, ending debt slavery, established a court of appeals, and redefined political rights by wealth instead of birth. He used a system based on wealth to pick who could run for offices. The two richest of 4 groups could hold public office while the others too sat in an assembly that elected those officials. This was the first government system to include all the people, not just the aristocrats and wealthy.
Cleisthenes
Cleisthenes was a noble from Athens and the grandson of the tyrant of the same name. He is known as the "father of Athenian democracy" for his reform to the Athenian constitution. Cleisthenes rose to power after overthrowing the tyrant Hippias, after a short struggle for power and the exile that followed, he assumed power in Athens.
Cleisthenes' reforms were effective and entirely changed the governmental system of Athens. He increased the power of the assembly and decreased the authority of the nobles. He also divided the citizens and set up the 10 tribes of Athens. Each tribe elected 50 men a year for the newly created Council of the 500. The council proposed laws, but the assembly had the ultimate authority over whether or not they were passed. He also changed the courts, jurors were chosen by lot, men could plead their case before the jury, and the jury voted by secret ballot. These changes were very effective and helped Athens evolve into the thriving Greek super-power we remember today.
Cleisthenes' reforms were effective and entirely changed the governmental system of Athens. He increased the power of the assembly and decreased the authority of the nobles. He also divided the citizens and set up the 10 tribes of Athens. Each tribe elected 50 men a year for the newly created Council of the 500. The council proposed laws, but the assembly had the ultimate authority over whether or not they were passed. He also changed the courts, jurors were chosen by lot, men could plead their case before the jury, and the jury voted by secret ballot. These changes were very effective and helped Athens evolve into the thriving Greek super-power we remember today.
Pericles
Pericles was one of the most influential people in the city of Athens. He was a great general and statesman, active in public office from 461 to 429 BC. This was considered a golden age in Athens and is commonly referred to as "The Age of Pericles". He brought great change to Athens, and much of Greece, and is responsible for many public monuments still known today, such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis. Athens reached its peak of wealth, power, and size during his time.
Pericles affected many aspects of Athens, including its democracy system. Under Pericles Athens became one of the most completely democratic nations in history. All people except the lowest class could hold office, officeholders were paid and chosen by lot so to be fair. The Athenian units of weight and measurement became the standard throughout the empire. Pericles brought prosperity and stability to the area and used the Delian League to extend the empire of Athens. His plan to unit Greece failed, however, causing the Peloponnesian War with Sparta, a rival city-state. Pericles died in a plague during the siege of Athens.
Pericles affected many aspects of Athens, including its democracy system. Under Pericles Athens became one of the most completely democratic nations in history. All people except the lowest class could hold office, officeholders were paid and chosen by lot so to be fair. The Athenian units of weight and measurement became the standard throughout the empire. Pericles brought prosperity and stability to the area and used the Delian League to extend the empire of Athens. His plan to unit Greece failed, however, causing the Peloponnesian War with Sparta, a rival city-state. Pericles died in a plague during the siege of Athens.
Socrates
Socrates is often credited with being the founder of western philosophy. He completely revolutionized the Greek way of thinking and was well loved by most. He had powerful enemies and his own wisdom lead to his downfall.
Socrates had a completely different approach to the field of education, he taught that education was the key to personal growth and to grow, people must be taught to think. He believed his students should be taught to think for themselves, rather than use memorization as a teaching tool. This became known as the Socratic Method and is very popular in philosophical studies today. Socrates did remarkable work into the study of ethics and laid the foundations for all future study of the subject. He openly criticized the democratic system, stating that unskilled or unknowing people should not be in charge. Socrates also asked questions of officials and leaders that made them look unknowledgeable and stupid. This lead to growing resentment against him by those with power. His enemies accused him of corrupting the youth of Athens and denying the existence of the Greek gods. He was condemned and hung in 399 BC.
Socrates had a completely different approach to the field of education, he taught that education was the key to personal growth and to grow, people must be taught to think. He believed his students should be taught to think for themselves, rather than use memorization as a teaching tool. This became known as the Socratic Method and is very popular in philosophical studies today. Socrates did remarkable work into the study of ethics and laid the foundations for all future study of the subject. He openly criticized the democratic system, stating that unskilled or unknowing people should not be in charge. Socrates also asked questions of officials and leaders that made them look unknowledgeable and stupid. This lead to growing resentment against him by those with power. His enemies accused him of corrupting the youth of Athens and denying the existence of the Greek gods. He was condemned and hung in 399 BC.
Plato
Plato is the most successful student of Socrates and one of the few sources of information about him. Plato founded the Academy of Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world, where Aristotle and many other famous philosophers studied. Instead of writing research books like many of his time, Plato wrote dialogues, or an imaginary discussion of a topic between people. He wrote of government, education, justice, and religion.
Plato's most famous teaching was the "Theory of Forms," which was a controversial topic of the time. He taught that nothing in this world is perfect, just modeled after perfect and universal ideas or "forms." Because humans have flaws of the senses, Plato believed that true philosophers searched for perfect knowledge that was incapable of being learned in the physical world. He believed perfection could only be achieved by a divine form, or God. Plato also discussed politics. He believed that an aristocracy system would be best, but instead of rile based on wealth or power, people would be chosen for their wisdom, ability, and high ideals. His school became one of the most important schools of philosophy in the entire world.
Plato's most famous teaching was the "Theory of Forms," which was a controversial topic of the time. He taught that nothing in this world is perfect, just modeled after perfect and universal ideas or "forms." Because humans have flaws of the senses, Plato believed that true philosophers searched for perfect knowledge that was incapable of being learned in the physical world. He believed perfection could only be achieved by a divine form, or God. Plato also discussed politics. He believed that an aristocracy system would be best, but instead of rile based on wealth or power, people would be chosen for their wisdom, ability, and high ideals. His school became one of the most important schools of philosophy in the entire world.