5th bce century greece

The 5th century BCE was a period of great development in Ancient Greece, and specifically Athens. The development of so many cultural achievements within Athens and the Athenian Empire has led historians to deem this period a "Golden Age." It is true that this period had many achievements, but in light of the Athenians treatment of women, metics, and slaves it is a question whether or not the period can truly be called "Golden."

During the 5th century some amazing achievements were accomplished in Athens. One very important achievement was the minting of standard Athenian coins that could be used as a common currency through out the polis. This accomplishment helped establish and maintain control over the economy. Also the Athenian economy was boosted by tributes from states that it controlled and after the Persians sacked the city, during the Persian wars, Pericles rebuilt it with great structures. He used the treasures of war to rebuild temples, public grounds, and most famous the Parthenon.

Not only did Athens make strides in the economy and architecture but also made great accomplishments in politics. Athens crowning achievement is arguably their foundation of democracy. There new democracy intitled all white male Athenian citizens of the age of eighteen or older to be able to vote at the Assembly, which made all of the important decisions. This form of government shows how enlightened Athens was but also how far they had to go to achieve a real democracy. All women, slaves and metics had absolutely no say in the Assembly.

The only factor that slowed the progress of Athens was her rivalry with Sparta. It had started during the Persian war when the two sides had started an open rivalry for alliances with other states. After many years of domestic politics in Athens complicating relations in its state. Athenian democracy threatened the oligarchies of other states. These states then turned to Sparta for help and two great conflicts followed. The following years of 431-421 and 414-404 were called the Peloponnesian war. Sparta defeated Athens navy and then fully defeated them with her military. Athens and her satellites were militarily defeated and then humiliated. Unlike Spartans previous victories Athens was not enslaved but was still controlled by Sparta. This war thus ended Athens and her "Golden age."

Athens produced a very important part of not only Greece but also the world. The architecture of Athens and sculptures has long been appreciated by post-Athenian civilizations of the world. Much of the archtecural methods can be seen in modern America. The American government is a more developed and thought out plan then that of Athens but the democracy of Athens can be considered the father of today's democracy. Also Athenian scholars gave the world a sense of thinking that is taught in schools even today. Even though Athens has been dead for over two thousand years its contributions are still benefiting the world today.

Refrences

1) Demand, Nancy. A History of Ancient Greece. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996

2) Roberts, J.M. A History of Europe. New York: Allen Lane,1996 (p. 27-30)

3) Class Text