Democratic Governance in Athens

Pericles, an Athenian solider gave his funeral oration in honor of those killed during the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC. This speech discusses new public rituals for the death of loved ones, true heroism, advice to the living, and Athenian democracy. A democracy is a system of government controlled by the general population. In a democracy, citizens vote directly on an issue as majority. Throughout one of the most famous speeches, Pericles expressed his pride in Athens, their specific values and lifestyle choices led by a democracy.

He highlights the Athenian’s ability to comfort those who have lost, to admit poverty so they can overcome it, to work together for the greater good, and pay tribute to their ancestors, who they have received everything from according to Pericles.

Specific values Pericles considers to be an integral part of a democracy would be equality for all the people of Athens, to give to each other, enjoy other countries goods, be helpful not vindictive, and obey public officials but because they want to not need to.

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“Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institution of others. We do not copy our neighbors but are an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while the law secures equal justice to all alike in their private disputes, ... he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege but as the reward of merit” (Thuc.

2.37)

For Pericles, democracy is a form of government that helped make Athens prominent. In a few ways their democracy is able to favor both of their individual rights or their everyday likes and interests. The democracy of Athenian’s favors in both their interests and individual rights by having regular games, refined lifestyle and the daily delightful feeling every day to help banish depression so that they can enjoy goods from elsewhere as freely as their own. Having events like these help the Athenian’s have something to be happy about and look forward to so Pericles can continue his government.

According to Pericles, Athenians are “prevented from doing wrong by respect for the magistrates, or authorities, and for the laws.” (Thuc 2.37) He states this because the people of Athens are very friendly. They don’t pass judgment among one another, don’t make sour looks, let their neighbors do what they like, and they are not suspicious of each other. This is very different from a life that I live where if you accidentally walk in front of someone, you will get a very mean look.

Pericles admits that it is no disgrace to be among poverty, the true disgrace is not doing anything about it. This translates to it being ok to be in poverty as long as you try and work to change it. Democracy is in favor of both rights and interests, “We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless, but as a useless character, and if few of us are originators, we are all sound judges of a policy” (Thuc. 2.40) Since a democracy includes citizens voting, they make sure even someone who isn’t as interested is still useful throughout the voting processes. In conclusion of Thuc. 2.40, along with Pericles’ words, Athenians cultivate the mind without loss of manliness nor without losing the fear of the power behind laws. They were being rulers and ruled at the same time which was very ideal at this time.

One thing we have to take into consideration are the gaps or flaws in Pericles’ characterization of democracy. His view of Athens was very selfish, idealized, and utopian. The praise he continually gave throughout his speech could have impacted the citizens to fall in love with what he was portraying them. People also love to hear appraisal. The more Pericles praises the funeral they got after fighting for Athens in the Peloponnesian War with Athens itself, the more people will keep on fighting for democracy and making the same sacrifices for their land and happiness. He idealized the people who have passed away in the war giving tributes in their memory and even a burial. This encourages other citizens to also fight and die for freedom. Another gaps questions how citizens could also be in fear of whoever is in power and go along with the culture for that reason.

If modern criteria were applied to Pericles’ point of view of democracy, ancient Greece would not be considered a democratic state anymore. It is obligatory for modern democracy to include new laws, individual rights, a constitution, equality, and the ability to enforce rights, laws, and liberties. In today’s day and age, the government is made up of branches along with house of representatives and the senate. If all of these rules and regulations were applied to ancient Greece, they would be much more controlled. Greece didn’t have any branches of government or constitution. It was very unorganized in many ways and something we probably would not let happen today.

The main principles of democracy outlined by Pericles’ were to be helpful towards one another, have tributes paid to the ancestors, lead by example, gain knowledge by discussion and comfort those who have lost. Some other main principles were to fight for Athens which results in happiness and freedom. Pericles’ principles of democracy only correspond to my modern understanding of equality and justice in some aspects.

My understanding of equality and justice has the same aspect of wanting everyone to be nice to each other, helping each other out instead of arguing and fighting, gaining knowledge by discussion, and to be sympathetic for those who have lost. As stated previously, I have grown up around getting dirty looks for accidentally walking in front of someone or even something as getting verbally attacked for not knowing something rather than someone teaching me something new. This society does not like to help and benefit each other as Pericles’ portrayed. It seems like we are in constant competition with one another or even celebrities against each other. I also have an understanding for freedom of speech, sexuality, and religion. I think the citizens of America deserve to love who they want to love because it does not affect anyone besides them. Citizens deserve to be transgender if they don’t feel comfortable in their own body or any type of religion because of what they believe and share. We should not shame others for their beliefs or rights.

Pericles’ funeral oration expresses the democratic state that Athens is in after the first year of the Peloponnesian War, honoring those who lost their lives. Athenians have the freedom to live exactly how they want, employ citizens in the correct fields, be very generous and kind, and to expand and give knowledge to the people around them. Ancient Greece today would not be considered a democratic state, but my views of a democracy are almost similar to Pericles’. Specific cultural values and lifestyle choices he expects of his people would be to admit poverty and help others get through it, set an example, and to confer with others. Athenian democracy is able to favor both individual rights and interests of the community by having a refined lifestyle, helping each other out of melancholy, and enjoying goods freely but also including citizens in voting processes even if they seem out of place.