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42 votes
Write at least 200 words. Use complete sentences.

How might you feel if you were someone who lived in Athens, but who could not be a citizen and participate in the world’s first democracy? How do you think you might be able to contribute to society in a fulfilling and rewarding way?

User Bamossza
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2 Answers

13 votes
13 votes
Yea you should because it is worth it for your future
User Tgrosinger
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21 votes
21 votes

Answer:

In Athens, the people governed, and the majority ruled. All citizens had equal rights and powers. In a city-state as small as Athens, a pure democracy was possible. As states grew larger, the notion of electing representatives to make decisions for the public became more practical.

Not everyone in Athens was considered a citizen. Only free, adult men enjoyed the rights and responsibility of citizenship. The Athenian definition of “citizens” was also different from modern-day citizens: only free men were considered citizens in Athens. Women, children, and slaves were not considered citizens and therefore could not vote.

This excluded a majority of the population: slaves, freed slaves, children, women and metics (foreign residents in Athens). The women had limited rights and privileges, had restricted movement in public, and were very segregated from the men. I would contribute by trying the best I can to support and help all of these people in my own whether it be getting jobs helping financially or just doing something small such as bringing food. Protesting would be a big part as well. Especially when it comes to this. I think I would just feel downright furious because of this. It's outrageous.

To be a citizen of Athens, both your mother and father had to be citizens. You could not have been born in a different country or in another Greek city. All Athenian citizens had the right to vote in the Assembly, debate, own land and own slaves. All Athenian citizens were expected to have military training, be educated, pay their taxes and serve Athens in times of war. Any citizen over the age of thirty whose name is drawn for the Boule must comply.

User Matt Kneiser
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