Description

The Athenian democracy serves as a key reference point in the history of democratic governance and is one of the best documented periods and institutions in ancient Greek history. We will undertake a detailed examination of the ways in which the workings of the Athenian democracy and state evolved throughout antiquity and the ways in which the workings of the Athenian democracy and state evolved throughout antiquity and the ways in which this form of radical democracy was viewed and critiqued during the period itself. The course will provide both an overview of Athenian institutional and social histories as well as a methodological survey of the variety of source material used by historians of ancient Athens. We will also look at broader issues including the connection between democracy and empire in the fifth century, social class, and the critique of democracy.