History of Persians and Greek - Essay Example

History of Persians and Greek How did Persian and Greek civilizations differ in their political organization and values As argued by Scheidel, Ian, and Saller (19), Persians had an imperial political system that drew upon Mesopotamian polices comprising of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Its empire was so large that it ruled from Egypt to Indian. Secondly, the Persian system had a kingship that isolated the emperor in royal magnificence and was only involved in rituals. Thirdly, effective leadership was a major concern in the Persian emperors that demonstrated the power and possessed the right to rule by the objection initiated by Persian god Ahura Mazda. Fourthly, the empire was ruled by an effective administration system comprised of Persian governors referred as Satraps in 23 provinces while local authorities ruled lower-level officials monitored by the imperial spies. Fifthly, the Persian Empire valued strengthening policies that respected human rights and the Persian cultural traditions. In other words, the system had strong values that demonstrated passion in abiding to cultural traditions. On the contrary, the Greek Political organization based its system on hundreds independent-small settlements or city-states between five hundred and five thousand male citizens (Scheidel, Ian, and Saller 30). Unlike Persian, the second aspect is that Greek never built an empire, but expanded by establishing the colonies around the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Thirdly, its distinctive feature of political culture majored on popular participation of the political life in the city-states. It based its political participation, which was wider than Persia on the citizenship ideal that regarded people running the affairs of the state. In Greek History, Scheidel, Ian, and Saller continues to argue that, only the rich and wellborn obtained rights of full citizenship though some city-states the middle and lower men attained. Fourthly, its political organization abolished debt slavery and equality for all citizens. Typically, the political participation was not universal as it excluded over half population of foreigners, slaves, and women from participation. 2. Why did semi democratic governments emerge in some of the Greek city-states The primary factor why the semi democratic governments emerge in some of the Greek City-States was to offer military services. Many afforded the weapons and army that would give them an opportunity to serve in the armies within the city-states. The Greek city and states were always in wars so many grabbed this opportunity to offer solutions on military services. Secondly, in most places dictators emerged to support the poorer classes and challenge the privileges of the rich. In city-states, the army emphasized much on a person’s wealth and status that determined the input one would bring to the nation. For instance, a wealth person could afford the best military weapons and hire mercenaries while the poor could not afford. The states and cities inclined to inequality where the poor were less privileged in the society. Following this, many dictators commonly known as tyrants emerged to offer solutions to discrimination of the poor. An example is Athenian Leader Solon that came in 594 B.C.E (Scheidel, Ian, and Saller 54). During his ruling, he eradicated the wide gap between the rich and the poor and increased access to power for the poor who are neglected for a long period. Still, he abolished debt slavery and increased public access to a group of men and permitted all citizens to participate in politics and assemblies. The poor were less privileged in the society and the government diminished their power as citizens. However, the rich enjoyed the benefits and the government regarded their input to the nation. To abolish this discrimination, many people regarded the input of a different party from the Greek that would promote equality between the rich and the poor. In this regard, the Semi democratic governments emerge in some region of the Greek city-states to abolish inequality between citizens and the government. As mentioned, the government acknowledged the input of the wealthiest people, disregarded that of the poorest citizens. However, this was later eliminated when equality between governments and citizens made sense. In sum, the semi-democratic governments allowed themselves to serve the Greek city-states to hold on the power that the Greeks possessed. Their intentions were to create equality between the poor and the rich and abolish slavery that was highly emphasized. 3. What were the consequences for both sides of the encounter between the Persians and the Greeks The reports of Persian wars affirm that, the consequences boosted self-confidence and power of Athens in their economic and political supremacy (Scheidel, Ian, and Saller 70). As a result, the city based its success in the war and notable improvement in economic and political era. Typically, the Persian secured their possessions in Asia, which was a great accomplishment over the Greek Cities. Additionally, they placed Greek tyrants to rule their cities, including King Cyrus who emerged around 521 B.C. He imposed a strict administration and the entire leadership of the state was in his hands. In his leadership, King Cyrus promoted equality and considered everyone to obey his ruling. The king established the need to construct roads and post station for better transportation and communication that positively influenced his leadership. In this regard, transportation became easier as one could cover hundred kilometres per day and message transmitted efficiently. The great king gave his people complete freedom and liberty and created a platform for people to practice religion of their choice. In contrast, the Greek states and cities scattered over the Black and Mediterranean Seas to the extent of not forming a single unit. However, their shared aims laid in their religion, language, culture, philosophy, and science. The Greeks revolted against the Persians and transformed the old system of rule. In 499 B.C, one of the Persian tyrants planned a revolt because of the Greek’s defeat and emphasized that he was fighting for freedom against Persians. Rebellion against the Persians became a major concern as many were not content with the Greek defeat. From this, the further war arose and the Persian army sent their military leaders for battle against Greeks. At the end, the Greek succeeded against the Persian superpower, and this birthed more war that ended in 404 B.C, and as a consequence created two powerful states in Greece. This experience was paramount for the rise of democracy that was previously based on two ideas inequality and exclusivity. As a result, the democracy became so firmly that it could endure even a defeat. Following this, one would conclude that while the Greeks revived the old system, the Persians secured a new system led by King Cyrus. The Greek succeeded against the Persian after being challenged in the first war that created an urge to fight for their freedom and power. Works Cited Scheidel, Walter, Ian Morris, and Saller, Richard. The Cambridge Economic History of the Greco-Roman World. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Internet resource. Read More