Editing Ancient Greek Society and Democracy (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Ancient Greek society is understood through '''Citizenry''' and '''Duality'''.

'''1. The "Direct" Vote (Democracy)''':
Athens did not have "Representatives" like a modern Parliament.
* If you were a "Citizen" (Adult Male), you **personally** went to the Assembly.
* You **personally** voted on whether to "Go to War" or "Spend Money."
* It was a "High-Responsibility" system. If the war went badly, you were the one who "Voted for it" and "Fought in it."
* Democracy was seen as a "Duty," not just a "Right."

'''2. The "Opposites" (Athens vs. Sparta)''':
Greece was defined by "Two ways of life."
* **Athens**: Valued "Art," "Philosophy," "Sea-Power," and "Individual Freedom." (The 'Brain').
* **Sparta**: Valued "Strength," "Discipline," "Land-Power," and "State-Service." (The 'Brawn').
* These two poles created a "Creative Tension" that drove Greek innovation, but also led to their "Self-Destruction" in the Peloponnesian War.

'''3. The "Human-Centered" World''':
Greeks saw "Humans" as the "Measure of all things."
* Their "Gods" were "Human-like" (they argued, cheated, and loved).
* Their "Statues" were "Perfected Humans."
* Their "Philosophy" focused on "Human Reason" (Logos) rather than "Divine Revelation."
* This "Humanism" is why we still read Greek literature 2,500 years later.

'''The 'Trial of Socrates' (399 BC)'''': The "Dark Side" of democracy. The people of Athens voted to "Execute" their greatest philosopher because he "Questioned the Gods" and "Corrupted the Youth." It proved that a "Mob" can be just as "Tyrannical" as a "King," and led Plato to "Hate" democracy and search for a "Philosopher King."
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