HUM-8 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Athenian Democracy, Ancient Greek, Tyrant
Document Summary
Part 1: athenian democracy and its myths. The poor were referred to as demos=the crowd, the people, even the mob . Series of crises between wealthy aristocrats and working people. People were selling their families into bondage so that they would have something to eat. Most offices not elected, but determined by lottery. Twice they had to rebuild after tyrannical overthrows. Ancient history can clarify how we think about recent developments, just not in the way(s) normally assumed. Myth was used by tragedy to talk problems out in front of the city. Removed from present political tensions by being set in the past. But still addressing tensions present in the state, like leaders passing laws that are harmful to the people. Showing both sides in action and rhetorical debate. Allowing audience to form their own ideas. After a civil war, new ruler, kreon, calls for unity. Declares the opposition traitors, no burial, eaten by dogs.
