The Rise of Greek City-States Mountains and sea separated Greek city-states, which remained fiercely independent. Greeks began to set up colonies all around.

The Rise of Greek City-States

Mountains and sea separated Greek city-states, which

remained fiercely independent. Greeks began to set up

colonies all around the Mediterranean by 750 B.C.

The Greeks designed each large city-state, or polis, with an

acropolis for temples and a lower walled city for homes, a

market, and public buildings. Different forms of government

evolved over time, from monarchy, to aristocracy, and in

some places oligarchy.

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 1: The Greek Roots of Democracy

The Greek Philosophers

Greek philosophers tried to discover universal truths. These truths would hopefully lead to better government and proper ethics. Among the most influential philosophers were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

What did the Greek Philosophers focus most of their

attention on?

What form of government is it when all citizens participate

without representatives?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 1: The Greek Roots of Democracy

Sources of the Democratic Tradition: Section 1Note Taking Transparency 49

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Sources of the Democratic Tradition: Section 1Color Transparency 1: The Key Ideas of Plato

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What does Plato say that

rulers should be/have?

Sources of the Democratic Tradition: Section 1Color Transparency 2: The Key Ideas of Aristotle

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How should people examine the world around them?

From Republic to Empire

Political leaders and the senate fought civil wars in Rome, and the empire came to rely on paid soldiers who were loyal to their commanders over the state. Julius Caesar became dictator and was killed in 44 B.C., which brought on more civil wars.

Octavian became emperor in 31 B.C. and took the title of Augustus. He created a civil service to enforce laws and imposed a fairer tax system. He ushered in the pax Romana, which was a 200-year period of peace.

What was the Roman government called?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 2: The Roman Republic and Empire

Roman Law

Roman laws united the empire. Civil law and the law of

nations were merged to apply to everyone in the empire.

Many Roman principles of law are still practiced today.

How is voting done in a Republic?

What government today closely follows the government of

Ancient Rome?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 2: The Roman Republic and Empire

Sources of the Democratic Tradition: Section 2Color Transparency 4: The Key Principals of Roman Law

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In what way are today’s

laws influenced by

Roman law?

The Ancient Israelites

According to the Torah, Abraham migrated with his family westward from Mesopotamia to Canaan. There, near the eastern Mediterranean coast, Abraham founded the Israelite nation.

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 3: Principles of Judaism

God’s Covenant with the Israelites

The Israelites were monotheistic, meaning they believed in one God. They believed God would protect and provide for them as long as they followed God’s laws.

Teachings on Law and Morality

The Torah established moral principles and set out laws, including The Ten Commandments that became part of the cultural foundation of Western civilization.

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 3: Principles of Judaism

The Scattering of the Jews

Not all Jews held during the Babylonian Captivity returned to Judea. Some remained in Babylon and some migrated to other parts of the Middle East and Mediterranean.

Who was seen as more important, individuals or the group as a whole?

Sources of the Democratic Tradition: Section 3Note Taking Transparency 51

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Jesus of Nazareth

According to the Gospels, Jesus began preaching and

performing miracles of healing in the provinces of Galilee and

Judea on the eastern Mediterranean. Jesus’ message

echoed the Jewish ideas of mercy and sympathy for the

poor. Some followers believed he was the Son of God, Out

of fear of rebellion, the Romans crucified him.

Unlike other religions practiced in Rome, what type of religion

were Christianity and Judaism?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 4: The Rise of Christianity

Christianity Spreads

Jesus’ followers spread Christianity, first among the Jews of

Judea and then through the Roman world. Paul was the most

influential among them. The emperor Theodosius made

Christianity Rome’s official religion.

What is the written code of morals used by both Judaism and

Christianity?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 4: The Rise of Christianity

The Christian Church

Gradually scattered Christian communities organized a

structured church hierarchy. The bishops of the important

cities became powerful in the Church, with the bishop of

Rome serving as the pope. During the Middle Ages, the

Roman Catholic Church became a powerful spiritual and

secular force in Western Europe.

What did the monks do that allowed us to rediscover Ancient

Greece and Ancient Rome?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 4: The Rise of Christianity

The Judeo-Christian Tradition

Both the Jewish and Christian faiths are major world religions

today. The ethical and moral principles set forth by both

religions played an important role in the development of the

democratic tradition.

What are some of the contributions these religions have

made to modern Western Civilization?

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Sources of the Democratic TraditionSection 4: The Rise of Christianity