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Athens & Rome Citizenship Mini-Q

Background Essay Questions


1. What two Mediterranean societies are being compared? During what approximate time period?


2. The essay says that citizenship often strikes a balance between rights and responsibilities. Give an


example of a citizen's rights and an example of his or her responsibilities.


EV


3. What point was being made by the Athenians Pericles and Aristotle when they used the words


"useless" and "beast"?


4. What was the difference in population and area between the city-state of Athens and the


Roman Republic?


5. Can you make a logical guess how size might affect a nation's willingness to grant citizenship?

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

1.The question doesn't provide specific context, so I can offer a general answer. Two Mediterranean societies that are often compared are Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. These societies existed during different time periods, with Ancient Greece flourishing from the 8th century BCE to the 6th century BCE, and Ancient Rome emerging in the 8th century BCE and eventually transforming into the Roman Empire, lasting until the 5th century CE.

2.Example of citizen's rights: The right to freedom of speech. Citizens have the freedom to express their opinions and ideas without fear of censorship or retaliation.

Example of citizen's responsibilities: The responsibility to pay taxes. Citizens are expected to contribute financially to the functioning of the government and the provision of public services by paying their taxes.

3.Pericles and Aristotle used the words "useless" and "beast" to emphasize the importance of citizen participation and engagement in the political affairs of the city-state. Pericles, in his Funeral Oration, referred to citizens who are indifferent to the state's affairs as "useless," suggesting that active involvement and contribution are essential for the well-being of the society as a whole. Aristotle, in his work Politics, used the term "beast" to describe individuals who do not participate in political life, indicating that they are not fulfilling their potential as rational beings and are akin to mere animals.

The underlying point made by both Pericles and Aristotle was the belief in the significance of active citizenship and civic engagement for the prosperity and stability of the city-state.

4.In terms of population and area, there were significant differences between the city-state of Athens and the Roman Republic:

Population: During its peak, Athens had a population of around 140,000 to 200,000 free citizens, while the Roman Republic, at its height, had an estimated population of around 70 million people, including both citizens and non-citizens.

Area: Athens covered a relatively small area, with its urban center and surrounding territories spanning approximately 2,500 square kilometers. In contrast, the Roman Republic expanded significantly and eventually controlled a vast territory encompassing over 2 million square kilometers, including parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

5.While size alone may not be the sole determining factor, it can influence a nation's willingness to grant citizenship. Larger nations often face diverse challenges and complexities due to their size, such as managing a larger population, diverse cultures, and competing interests. Consequently, larger nations may adopt stricter criteria for granting citizenship to maintain social cohesion, ensure effective governance, and safeguard national security.

A larger population may necessitate more stringent requirements to become a citizen, as the nation needs to carefully manage and regulate the influx of individuals seeking citizenship. Additionally, larger nations may prioritize integration and assimilation efforts to maintain a cohesive society, and citizenship could be seen as a means to promote social cohesion and unity among diverse populations.

However, it's important to note that granting citizenship is influenced by various factors, including historical, cultural, political, and economic contexts. Each nation's approach to citizenship is shaped by its unique circumstances and values, and size alone cannot provide a definitive answer but rather contributes to the overall considerations.

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