California Standard 10.1.1 10.1.1 - Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought.

1. Is it all Relative? o.O
Where do our democratic ideas come
from – and do we see them in action
today?

2. Intro to Democracy
• Where does democracy come from? What
does the word mean?
• Does anyone know where we get our ideas
from, like representative voting?
• Think on it for a moment, share with a partner,
and then I’ll ask the whole group.
– *TPS Activitiy*

3. Democracy
• Usually humans are ruled by a
single leader, a monarch
(king)
• Democracy is in direct
contrast to that – demos
(people) and kratos (rule) =
rule by the people.
• Greece and Rome had the
earliest forms of democracies
known to man.

4. Grecian Ideals – Athens and Sparta
• Let’s watch this video to introduce the topic that we’re going to
focus on first!
• *Note: For real presentation I’d have it embedded due to
internet being flaky at most schools*
• http://www.schooltube.com/video/f8836a3434a31a97579b/HOR
RIBLE-HISTORIES-Wife-Swap-Spartans-and-Athenians

5. Greece – Where is it? o.o
Where is Greece even?

6. Athens and Sparta
• From this video we get two ideals, two
different rivers flowing into the Grecian
ideas.
• We get the Athenian view and the
Spartan View.
• Athens trained people to be of the
arts, had very traditional view of
women (stay at home, sewed, no
power in gov)
• Spartans trained to be warriors,
women viewed more (but not totally)
equally.

7. Athens and Sparta
• Both of these however
were essential in helping
develop the Grecian ideals
of democracy.
• They shared some things in
common, like the city state
model, language, and
religion.

8. Grecian Ideals Background
• C. 620 BCE: Draco “The
Lawgiver”, Athenian, first
known written law of ancient
Greece.
• Extremely harsh measures,
tainted the word “draco” to
mean harsh, severe, even
today.
• Solon in 594 BCE revised
statutes, made it more
humane – where we get our
“cruel and unusual” saying.

9. More Grecian Ideals
• Greeks did not rely on
superstition or traditional
religious explanations – instead
used reason/intelligence to find
“Natural Laws”.
• Created system of direct
democracy so (most) citizens
could vote (men).
• Citizens can do numerous things
– vote, debate, make laws,
serve on juries, hold office.

10. Grecian Contributions
• Split gov. into 3 branches (Ekklesia, Boule, and
Dikasteria – roughly Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial)
• The Greeks also contributed highly to math,
literature, theatre, astronomy, science,
medicine, architecture, and of course the
Olympic Games…and Disney.

11. Rome – Where is it? :o
• Where is Rome? O.O

12. Roman Ideals
• Established Rule of Law and Equal
Justice – written laws that were
applied to ALL people under
Roman rule.
• Provided stability and unity of the
land.
• C.451 BCE created Twelve Tables –
first publicly accessible collection
of Roman Laws.
• What does this mean to the
people? Why is this important?

13. Roman Ideals
• Imp b/c it protected people
from corrupt and abusive
officials, even Senators could
be prosecuted!
• Had a Republican system –
where people voted for
representatives to vote on
issues for them.
• What are the benefits of this
system compared to the
Direct Democracy of
Greece?

14. Roman Contributions
• They were the ones who
gave us the words for Senate
and Dictator. ^^
• IMPORTANT:
Rome said you were a
citizen of a country, not a
subject of a ruler.
Why is this distinction
important?

15. Judaism – An Overview
• Abrahamic Religion – belief in one,
true God who decided Hebrew
people were “chosen” to keep
God’s Covenants.
• Often destroyed, relocated,
prospered, and destroyed again
over time.
• Large portions of the Hebrew Bible
are detailing land exploits and trying
to please God.
• Believe God promised them a savior
who will come.

16. Judaic Views of Humans
• Humans were sacred because they were created by God (Genesis
1:27) and “children of God”.
• They were created “in God’s image” with the ability to do great
things.
• Had written law codes (Ten Commandments) on how to treat
God/others.

17. Christianity – Still an Overview
• Came from Jewish roots – believe
that Jesus of Nazareth was the
Savior, THE Christ.
• Jesus went around preaching about
how to treat others and view God
(a loving, personal being)
• Crucified for blasphemy and
possible threat to Roman Empire.
• Rose after three days and
continued preaching for a period
before ascending to Heaven.
Leaving His established Church to
continue His mission.

18. Christian View of Humans
• Believe that people were equal
before God (James 3:9)
• That each individual was sacred
(Romans 13:9) and had inherent
worth/value.
• And that each person had the
capability to choose between
right and wrong.
• Had a responsibility to help others
in need and the community.
• Strong missionary push.

19. Intersection of Ideals over Time
• These four peoples
intersected as the Jews were
kicked out of Israel in 70 CE.
• And the Christians began
spreading eventually taking
over the Roman Empire by
400 CE.
• By 528 CE, Emperor Justinian
weeds out old laws – 1,600
BOOKS OF THEM to only 1,400
laws.

20. Greco/Roman – Judeo/Christian
Influence on the US
• Read the US Declaration of
Independence with a partner
– highlight the influences you
see from our four roots and
label which it is and why.
*have handout of Declaration
of Independence for all
students*

21. How do you see these influences in
modern society?
Where do you see this influences in
modern society? List them all out with a
partner and get ready to share with the
large group! ^^
*TPS Activity  Large Group Sharing*

22. Intro to Project
• Create a poster detailing
how these influences
(Greco/Roman/Judeo/
Christian) can be seen in
modern day US Gov.
• Detail all ways, even if they
are apparent, but extra
points for creativity and things
other people don’t note.
• 20 points – due in one week.