20 Sep Explain what aspects of Athenian, Spartan,

After reading through the assigned chapter, I would ask that you respond to the following reflection prompt:

In a response of 150 words to 200 words, please explain what aspects of Athenian, Spartan, and Roman government you find useful and those you find problematic if not appalling?

            In terms of Athens, do you find the society something to draw inspiration from?  For instance, do you find the Council of 500 and the Athenian assembly (the Ecclesia) beneficial and reflective of a desirable form of democracy?  Conversely, do you feel that direct citizen rule is problematic and that demagogues can easily sway the masses?  Was having the final say in the assembly an example of how Athens was truly democratic?  Do you feel Athens democracy was problematic in the sense that they declared war on their neighbors every other year?  What do you think of the fact that at a minimum half the population were slaves, whether Scythian or otherwise?

            In terms of Sparta, do you find the society something to draw inspiration from?  Was the Gerousia (Spartan Council) made up of the 28 council members and Eurypontid and Agiad Kings, as well as, the Spartan assembly (the Apella) beneficial and reflective of an oligarchy in the sense that the final say was with the council?  What do you think of the warlike nature of Spartan society, such as having male children from the age of 7 through 20 go through military exercises?  What do you think of the Krypteia or rite of passage and how it terrorized the Messenian or slave (helot) population of Sparta?  What do you think of local town councils determining whether newborns were sufficiently healthy enough to live?  On the other hand, was the relative freedom of Spartan women compared to Athenian women something advantageous about Sparta?

            In terms of the Roman Republic, do you find the society something to draw inspiration from?  For instance, was the Concilium Plebis (Council of Plebs) sufficiently empowered to protect the rights of the Plebeians?  Was the sacrosanctity afforded to the Roman Tribunes always honored?  What do you think of the prospect of having two classes of citizens?  Would it work in the long run, or does the fact that the Plebeians continually sought equality with the Patricians representative of the fact that it wasnt working?  Was the Roman Senate really democratic, or was it always in a way oligarchic, that is, only benefiting Romes wealthier citizens?

After youve written your response, please respond to two of your classmates posts by explaining why you agree with them.  Those responses should be 50 to 75 words each.