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How do Cicero and Pericles differ in their understanding of State and in their understanding of citizenship.

User Thalia
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Cicero and Pericles were both influential figures in ancient politics, but they lived in different times and had different perspectives on the state and citizenship.

Cicero was a Roman politician, philosopher, and orator who lived in the first century BCE. He believed that the state existed to serve the people, and that the people had a duty to participate in the affairs of the state. For Cicero, citizenship was a sacred duty, and he believed that citizens had a responsibility to uphold the values and traditions of Rome. Cicero emphasized the importance of education in forming virtuous citizens who could contribute to the well-being of the state. He also believed that the state should be governed by a mixed constitution, in which power was distributed among different branches of government to prevent tyranny.

Pericles, on the other hand, was an Athenian statesman who lived in the fifth century BCE. He believed that the state existed to serve the collective good, rather than individual interests. Pericles believed that citizenship was a privilege, and that only those who contributed to the well-being of the state were deserving of citizenship. He emphasized the importance of public service and military service as ways for citizens to contribute to the state. Pericles also believed in the importance of direct democracy, in which citizens participated directly in the decision-making process.

In summary, Cicero and Pericles had different perspectives on the state and citizenship. Cicero believed in a mixed constitution and the importance of education in forming virtuous citizens, while Pericles believed in direct democracy and the importance of public and military service as ways to contribute to the collective good of the state.
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