The Pros and Cons of Classical Athens Essay Example

Classical Athens was located on the west coast of modern Greece. The classical period started after they won the Persian war and were freed from Persian control in 499 BCE. During the classical period, Athens had many societal achievements like arts, learning, and philosophy. Once the Persians were defeated, Athens gained many resources that contributed to more of their successes. Although there were ways that Athens' political, social, and cultural, as well as economic structure was successful, the society was flawed. 

When it comes to the political part of Athens, there are highlights as well as problems. Athens was a direct democracy so they didn't have elective officials to represent them.  (Johnson #). Athens was the first to have a direct democracy, which meant that citizens over the age of eighteen would discuss and vote on different subjects to decide what path they should take. This had a positive effect because it allowed each person to voice their own opinion and be heard. They talked openly and had majority rule. Also, in Athens, everyone including poor community members could serve in the Navy. (Johnson #). Poor people had fewer resources to find a job, but because they didn’t need weapons and armor, rowing boats for the Navy was accessible to a wider variety of people. On the other hand, Women were not educated because they didn't have a part in politics and instead did household tasks. (Johnson #). Since women didn't have a say in their community or any of the politics, this shows that Athens was uninterested in their opinions and didn't value their education. Another problem was that after Athens put together the Delian League, an organization with the goal of freeing city-states that were under the Persians rule, Athens wouldn't let the city-states out of the agreement until they paid Athens back for their protection. (Johnson #). This made the city-states worry that the league would become an empire. Athens used its power and resources to get what they wanted and force so-called allies to stay with them. Athens' political point of view is not the only factor in classical Athens, social and cultural living also play a role. 

The social and cultural structure in classical Athens was successful but it too had flaws. During the Periclean age some of the greatest works of art and literature were created. (Johnson #). Ancient art and literature are important because it lets modern historians see what Athens was like and understand more about their society in the 5th century BCE. Another positive thing about Athens’ social structure is that women who were religious and did rituals or participated in festivals were respected. (Johnson #). Even though most women were not respected in Athens, this shows that some women were shown respect and were able to get outside of their homes and have fun. However, women in Athens did the same jobs that slaves and servants did. They supervised slaves and servants, were midwives and nurses, and they were washerwomen and woolworkers. (Johnson #). Women were put on the same level as slaves while men were allowed to do whatever they wanted while getting a good education. Slaves were used so that men could spend time away from their home and not have to do the dirty work and the women would stay home to oversee them. Another problem in Athens was that a relationship between a man and a woman was only used to create children and women had little contact with their husbands. (Johnson #). On top of not getting an education and doing household chores, women didn't have real relationships with their husbands and were shoved aside and didn't matter. Finally, Neaera tells the story of her childhood, “on the ground that they were freeborn girls; but after she has reaped her profit from the youth of each of them, one by one, she the sold the whole lot of them together.” (Hughes #). Young girls were sold and forced to become prostitutes. The buyer made as much money off of them as possible when they were young but once they were adults, money intake got smaller so they were sold. This shows that girls were just used for making money and that people in the community were willing to pay a lot of money and were ok with children being prostitutes. 

The economic structure in Athens was focused and organized but could also be controlling. In Athens, wealth, material, and war were less important than politics, watching plays, and being with friends. This resulted in a smaller gap between the rich and the poor. (Johnson #). This benefited Athens because since there weren't many arguments over materials and money, the community was able to be stronger. Athens created the Delian league by inviting other city-states to join them in the fight to release other city-states under the Persians control. (Johnson #). This showed that they cared about other city-states and wanted to help free them from the Persians.  However, Athens told the other city-states that since they contributed the most in the fight against the Persians, the treasury should be in Athens. It was moved and Athens had control of the league's resources. (Johnson #). Even though Athens helped other city-states escape the Persians, they used their own resources to their advantage in order to get what they wanted by guilt-tripping the city-states that they had helped. 

Classical Athens had pros and cons regarding political, social and cultural, and economic structure, but in the end, its flaws outweigh its successes. The mistreatment of women and girls was the biggest flaw in Classical Athens. It shows the inequality within the community and is something that significantly affected the history of Athens.