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How Did The Greeks Placed Upon Their Citizens

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How Did The Greeks Placed Upon Their Citizens
It is the Greek culture which shaped the modern society. The importance that the Greeks placed upon their citizens in terms of government, helped shape the Greek culture. The Greeks change in politics from an Oligarchy to democracy. With the reliance on the average Greek citizen strengthened the Greek democracy. From the shift in power from the hoi polloi to average Greek citizen caused a shift in Greek culture. With the rise of democracy there was a greater responsibility placed on the average Greek citizen with this responsibility resulted in Greek civic value. Civic values were guidelines to living a well fulfilled life within the polis. Examples of civic value were depicted through Greek sculpture and theatre. These two forms of art were …show more content…
The Ekklesia consisted of at least six thousand male citizens. Each male citizen was pressed to take action and contribute to politics. A male citizen was not supposed to stay home, instead partake in the Ekklesia. There is also the polis, which Aristotle claims are ‘a compound made up of citizens’ (Kershaw, 111). Through the Eekklesia, a Greek citizen of 30 could be chosen into the Boule. The Boule consisted of a council of 500 men that prepared agendas and execute business. Each person was chosen at random to prevent corruption and showing that the general public has the brains and sense of morals to contribute to their city state. The Ekklesia gave not only responsibility to the average person but also places value. Similar to modern democracy, the Ekklesia consisted of male citizens, who in time would become different officials. The beginning of democracy started with the Greeks, but it is a practice that has been ideal throughout the centuries. With the Greeks emphasis on the value of the common person resulted in their participation in the future of their city state. The importance of permitting the average citizen to partake in politics was extreme during the beginnings of Greek democracy but has become the basis for democracy. The average person being able to have a saying in the progression of their country has become an entitlement in basic human rights. The Ekklesia began a …show more content…
Greek sculpture trend was naturalism, redefining ideal proportions and exploring new spatial possibilities. With sculptures such as Bronze Youth from Antikyther, gives an example of what the Greeks considered physical beauty (Kershaw, 217). The sculptures Discobolus and Doryphoros depict athletes’ muscular form at rest. Each of the sculptures represents a moderation of physical strength when applied to one aspect of human potential in regards to strength and beauty. Sculpture also reflected the Greek Civic value, which was to develop one’s self. In order to become a well-rounded individual the Greeks considered that one’s aspect of developing one’s self was to supply sufficient time into their schole. There was to be enough attention to each aspect of bettering one’s self to achieve arête. The Greek’s standard of physical beauty was represented through their art especially sculpture. The standard in regards to Greek physical beauty has not changed since the Hellenistic age, the male form is still considered desirable and highly admired. The entirety of civic value was not only regarded to the physicality of the Greek male, but did encourage citizens to attend lectures and partake in activities that develop the

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