Ancient Roots of Ancient Roots of DemocracyDemocracy

I. Athens & Direct I. Athens & Direct DemocracyDemocracy

Ancient Greece was divided Ancient Greece was divided into city-states.into city-states.

Most were ruled by a king Most were ruled by a king or or a military dictator.a military dictator.

Athens practiced direct Athens practiced direct democracy (ca. 500-350 democracy (ca. 500-350

b.c.)b.c.)

I. Athens & Direct I. Athens & Direct Democracy (cont.)Democracy (cont.)

Suffrage was limited.Suffrage was limited.

Slavery was common.Slavery was common.

Weakened by war, Weakened by war, Athens Athens was eventually was eventually conquered.conquered.

The ParthenonThe Parthenon

U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court

White HouseWhite House

Capitol BuildingCapitol Building

II. The Roman RepublicII. The Roman Republic

The ancient Romans had a The ancient Romans had a republic that lasted nearly republic that lasted nearly 500 years. (ca. 500-44 b.c.)500 years. (ca. 500-44 b.c.)

Citizens elected a Senate.Citizens elected a Senate. As in Athens, women couldn’t As in Athens, women couldn’t

vote, slavery was common.vote, slavery was common.

II. The Roman Republic II. The Roman Republic (cont.)(cont.)

Military success led to the Military success led to the creation of a large empire.creation of a large empire.

People in conquered lands People in conquered lands were were made citizens of Rome.made citizens of Rome.

After Julius Caesar, Rome After Julius Caesar, Rome became a military dictatorship.became a military dictatorship.

The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

III. The Judeo-Christian III. The Judeo-Christian TraditionTradition

Athens and Rome were Athens and Rome were polytheistic.polytheistic.

Ancient Hebrews were Ancient Hebrews were monotheistic.monotheistic.

III. The Judeo-Christian III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont.)Tradition (cont.)

Some of the principles of Some of the principles of Monotheism:Monotheism:

1) Individual worth.1) Individual worth.

2) Equality.2) Equality.

3) Adherence to a moral code3) Adherence to a moral code(10 Commandments).(10 Commandments).

III. The Judeo-Christian III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont.)Tradition (cont.)

Ancient Hebrews were an Ancient Hebrews were an insular people.insular people.

Christianity arose from Christianity arose from Judaism.Judaism.

Christians were Christians were evangelical.evangelical.

III. The Judeo-Christian III. The Judeo-Christian Tradition (cont.)Tradition (cont.)

Constantine made Constantine made Christianity the Christianity the official official religion of Rome in 312.religion of Rome in 312.

Centuries later, Europeans Centuries later, Europeans would take Christianity would take Christianity

all all over the world.over the world.

The Americas ca. 1750The Americas ca. 1750