Did Athens take advantage of their power in the Greek world?

Did Athens become too powerful for its own good?

How did conflict lead to the decline of Athens?

What are some advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy?  What makes these advantages and disadvantages?

Which is better our modern indirect democracy or the Athenian direct democracy?

I will not disgrace my sacred arms Nor desert my comrade, wherever I am stationed. I will fight for things sacred And things profane. And both alone and with all to help me. I will transmit my fatherland not diminished But greater and better than before. I will obey the ruling magistrates Who rule reasonably And I will observe the established laws And whatever laws in the future May be reasonably established. If any person seek to overturn the laws, Both alone and with all to help me, I will oppose him. I will honor the religion of my fathers. I call to witness the Gods … The borders of my fatherland, The wheat, the barley, the vines, And the trees of the olive and the fig. What does this oath reveal about Athenian values? How do you think these values affected life in Athens?

Which side do you think is writing each passage? How can you tell? What are some differences between the passages?

“Historians always like to argue that their work is significant. In Herodotus’ case, his claim that the great war between the Greeks and Persians was of unequaled importance (the most important) has been easily confirmed over the last two thousand years.

There was much more at stake during the Persian attempt to conquer the Greek mainland than the simple independence of the Greek states.  As subjects of the Persian king, the Athenian Greeks never would have had the opportunity to develop their unique democratic government. The legacy of democracy passed on to modern Europe and America would have vanished (disappeared). It is likely, had the Greeks been conquered during Xerxes’ invasion, that there never would have been such a thing as Western Civilization at all.

 One event above all, the doomed (fateful) defense of the pass of Thermopylae by a tiny Spartan holding force, is to thank for this. The glory of their end only added to the fame of the battle and helped ensure that Thermopylae, for generations afterwards, would serve as the model (best example) of sacrifice for liberty.” 

Source: British historian Tom Holland. Persian Fire. Published in 2005.

“The prophet Megistias first told the Greeks at Thermopylae that death was coming to them with the dawn. Then retreating Greek soldiers came and announced the approach of the Persian army.

The Greeks then took counsel (had a meeting), but their opinions were divided on what to do. Some wanted to leave their post and retreat, but others led by Leonidas (the Spartan king) spoke against this idea. Eventually most departed, while the Spartans prepared to remain at their post with their king (Leonidas).

It was not proper (the right thing to do) for Leonidas and the Spartans to abandon their post. In truth they were not really there to defend the pass, but to die for the freedom of all. Indeed when the Spartans asked the Oracle about this war when it first started, the Oracle had foretold (made a prophecy) that either the great and glorious cities of Greece would be completely destroyed by Persian men, or Sparta must mourn a dead king.

Considering (thinking about) this prophecy, and wishing to win distinction (fame) for their city, Leonidas and the Spartans did not abandon the post to which Greece had assigned them, but gladly sacrificed their own lives for the common salvation(saving) of all Greeks. There is an inscription written over these men, who were buried where they fell.  It reads simply: “Here three hundred from Sparta once fought two million. May we never forget.”

Source: Herodotus of Halicarnassus, The Histories, 440BCE

What do these quotes tell us about the Spartan soldiers? What caused the Spartans eventual loss at Thermopylae?

Demaratus said, [to the Persian king] "..... these men have come to fight us for possession of the pass, and for that struggle they are preparing. It is the custom of the Spartans to pay careful attention to their hair when they are about to risk their lives..."

just then, a man from Malis, Ephialtes, son of Eurydemus, came, in hope of rich reward, to tell the king about the track which led over the hills to Thermopylae.

It is said that Leonidas himself dismissed them (the other Greek soldiers), to spare their lives, but thought it unbecoming for the Spartans under his command to desert the post which they had originally come to guard.