Through existence of the Greek polis, political views and popular ideologies were ever changing due to the unique politics within each city state. Such changes include a continuous decrease in popularity towards the implementation of democracy in contrast towards oligarchy and the idea of the benevolent dictator. However, certain aspects of Greek life were significant enough to have persisted throughout Greek political life, the use of religion to derive legitimacy for example. Democracy and popular assembly were key aspects of Greek political establishment, but confidence within such establishments steadily faded with the onset of major events in Greece such as the Peloponnesian Wars. Many of the poleis practiced democracy to some degree,
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In this, Pericles alludes to the unique qualities of Athenian government and Athenians themselves, describing the people of Athens as caring for each other, being critical of their obedience to the state, and generally the most morally ethical compared to the citizens of the other poleis. Furthermore, Pericles denotes the Athenian state as sharing power across Athens’ entire citizenry, entailing complete equality.2 Due to the status of Pericles as an Athenian political leader however, his oration …show more content…
Typically, the authority of the Greek pantheon was believed to have given the laws of a polis legitimacy as well as give those attempting to reform unjust laws similar authorities. Sophocles’ 441 BCE play “Antigone” demonstrates strong morals regarding respect to the gods as a central theme. In this, the titular character, Antigone, defies the laws of the state to bury her brother and ultimately is punished with life imprisonment, yet she does so due to her commitment to fulfilling the rules of the gods.6 The Greek playwright’s moral in the play suggests that many in Greece at the time regarded the divine authority of the gods to supersede that of the state, in that Sophocles is encouraging viewer to be critical of the laws of the Athenian establishment. Furthermore, “Antigone” also entails that religion served as a strong political motivator for those who wished to violate the
In this, Pericles alludes to the unique qualities of Athenian government and Athenians themselves, describing the people of Athens as caring for each other, being critical of their obedience to the state, and generally the most morally ethical compared to the citizens of the other poleis. Furthermore, Pericles denotes the Athenian state as sharing power across Athens’ entire citizenry, entailing complete equality.2 Due to the status of Pericles as an Athenian political leader however, his oration …show more content…
Typically, the authority of the Greek pantheon was believed to have given the laws of a polis legitimacy as well as give those attempting to reform unjust laws similar authorities. Sophocles’ 441 BCE play “Antigone” demonstrates strong morals regarding respect to the gods as a central theme. In this, the titular character, Antigone, defies the laws of the state to bury her brother and ultimately is punished with life imprisonment, yet she does so due to her commitment to fulfilling the rules of the gods.6 The Greek playwright’s moral in the play suggests that many in Greece at the time regarded the divine authority of the gods to supersede that of the state, in that Sophocles is encouraging viewer to be critical of the laws of the Athenian establishment. Furthermore, “Antigone” also entails that religion served as a strong political motivator for those who wished to violate the