How Athens Influenced Western Democracy Essay

How Ancient Principles and Teachings Influenced Western Democracy

A democracy is a type of government in which the citizens elect their officials to represent them. The idea of democracy originated about twenty five hundred years ago in Athens. Western democracy has evolved throughout the years, but it is still influenced by ethical principles and philosophies from the Greeks and the Romans; along with Judeo/Christian teachings. Furthermore, western democracy was also influenced by Feudal England because during that period of time people first came up with the idea to limit the king’s power. Solon, Cleisthenes along with important documents that took place in Feudal England led the pathway to Western democracy. These people and documents created equality and justice amongst the people. …show more content…
Solon lead the way to greater fairness and justice with his reforms. He made many reforms, that later in the future influenced western democracy. Solon a wise man ,opened offices to citizens , loosened some restrictions on citizens. He gave the Athenian assembly more say in important decisions.In addition to his reforms he out lawed debt slavery and freed the people that had already ben sold. Solon’s reforms were not very successful at the time but at the long term they set the structure for Athenian democracy. Athens slowly moved in,to bing a democracy because of his reforms. Solon’s ideas and actions were very similar to the commandments of Judeo/Christian teachings, but actually his ideas were based on greek and roman philosophy and ethics , both of this beliefs are very similar and this might have helped Christianity influence Greco-Roman culture and religion