Democracy's beginning : the Athenian story / Thomas N. Mitchell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mitchell, Thomas N., 1939- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy--Greece--Athens--History--To 1500.

Democracy.

Athens (Greece)--Politics and government.

Athens (Greece).

Greece--Politics and government--To 146 B.C.

Greece.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (375 p.)

Place of Publication:

New Haven, Connecticut : Yale University Press, [2015]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A history of the world's first democracy from its beginnings in Athens circa fifth century B.C. to its downfall 200 years later The first democracy, established in ancient Greece more than 2,500 years ago, has served as the foundation for every democratic system of government instituted down the centuries. In this lively history, author Thomas N. Mitchell tells the full and remarkable story of how a radical new political order was born out of the revolutionary movements that swept through the Greek world in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C., how it took firm hold and evolved over the next two hundred years, and how it was eventually undone by the invading Macedonian conquerors, a superior military power. Mitchell's superb history addresses the most crucial issues surrounding this first paradigm of democratic governance, including what initially inspired the political beliefs underpinning it, the ways the system succeeded and failed, how it enabled both an empire and a cultural revolution that transformed the world of arts and philosophy, and the nature of the Achilles heel that hastened the demise of Athenian democracy.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Illustrations and Maps

Abbreviations

Introduction

CHAPTER 1. The Greek Polis: Cradle of Democracy

CHAPTER 2. The Rise of Democracy

CHAPTER 3. The Democracy's Drive for Power, Glory and Gain

CHAPTER 4. An Age of Enlightenment

CHAPTER 5. The Democracy Falters

CHAPTER 6. Reconciliation and Reform

CHAPTER 7. Athenian Democracy in its Fullest Form

CHAPTER 8. Achievements and Shortcomings

Epilogue

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780300217353

0300217358

OCLC:

1149493630