Mediterranean Sea Role in 5th Century BC Athens Emergence

Extract

[...] In what way is the Mediterranean Sea decisive in the affirmation of Athens in the 5th century BC? To clarify this central question, we will first show that it allows Athens to extend its domination over other cities. Then, we will mention that the mastery of the seas of Athens will have the effect of the hegemonic influence of its democracy on the other Greek cities. Subsection By financing the war and having an imposing army to defeat the enemies, Athens assigned the command on the ground to the city-state of Sparta. [...]

[...] Thanks to him, many monuments are built in Athens in the 5th century BC. Other institutions come to complete the Athenian democratic regime: it is the Boule and the Heliaia. The Boule is another council composed of 500 citizens, working on the preparation of the texts voted by the Ecclesia. The Heliaia is comparable to the modern-day court and has 6,000 citizens. In conclusion, we can note a paradoxical situation from which Athens, a democratic regime that claims to be exemplary, dominates a vast maritime kingdom around the Aegean Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. [...]

[...] Thus, taking advantage of its hegemonic position, it expanded its kingdom by becoming a major maritime power. This thalassocracy served as a means for it to better establish its democracy and institute it in other colonized states. Transition : The mastery of the maritime zones by the Athenians and their hegemonic position allowed them to establish their democracy in Athens and in the Greek cities. Subsection 1 : First, through the Greek civilization, Athens experienced its democracy for the first time in 428 BC. [...]

[...] The gathering of citizens is called the Ecclesia. The Ecclesia meeting is held quarterly and takes place on the hill of Pnyx. The fate of Mytilene is an example of a meeting that the assembly of citizens has already held on the hill of Pnyx. Subsection 2 : Next, the functioning of this democracy requires the election of 700 magistrates, assuming an executive function as they execute the resolutions taken by the people. Those who take a crucial responsibility are called strategoi and are generally 10 to be elected by the people. [...]

[...] The author even indicates that he is 'mal intentioned'. In fact, he manifested a certain intention to put his hand on the Byzantines starting with Constantinople, and later the Roman Empire. Anne Comnena dwells here on the manifestations of Bohémond's bad faith towards the son of Robert Guiscard. The expressions 'he changes his mind again', 'show a smiling face to those who return' like 'an octopus transforming in an instant' show well that it is a person insatiable, wanting to appropriate everything because he has no privilege. [...]