Part 9 - The appearance and construction of Democracy - childhood to maturity in Greece

Along with Athens reaching a new height of democratic governance, power, and wealth, an artistic and intellectual explosion occurred that remains one of the most storied periods in both European and world history. This post will explore the connection between this era and the maturing of democracy.  

“The phenomenon was extraordinary and its range, quantity and quality. It encompassed the visual arts of sculpture, painting and monumental architecture. It produced literary masterpieces in drama, historiography and oratory. It brought a general intellectual awakening which prompted intensified activity in philosophy, and especially in ethical and political thought.”(Mitchell)   

First, drama as we know it was developed.  Story telling by narration evolved into drama - enacting stories. It is believed that the first Tragedy was developed by Thespis, a poet and playwright. After several decades of growth and development, a second dramatic form was created, Comedy.  Drama, oratory, and historiography were all areas of very significant development. The works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Herodotus, and Thucydides are testament to this.

Second, painting and large scale visual art developed significantly, with many wall paintings honoring mythic events and military victories. Perhaps the most significant development in the visual arts began to occur after the maturation of the Delian league and the transfer of the treasury to the Acropolis. As mentioned previously, the treasury meant for the defense of the league was liberally used to partially fund an extraordinary amount of building.  This is the building program started by Pericles, monumental architecture and statuary reached great majesty and quality that was astonishing to the Greek world at the time and has remained so to the present day.  The prior structures on the Acropolis had been destroyed by the Persians and Athens was determined to return and elevate the Acropolis to glorify Athenian Gods and accomplishments. Notable structures included the Parthenon, the Propylaea (entrance to the Parthenon), the Athena Nike temple, the Erechtheum (for the cults of Athena, Erectheus, and Poseidon), and the Odeum (a music hall).  The building of monumental buildings and sculpture was carried out beyond the Acropolis in other parts of Athens and Attica.   

As described by Herodotus and Demosthenes, the Greeks were clearly aware of the power and impact of prominent and extraordinary architecture  and other forms of visual art.  They were driven by strong national pride and powerful ambition to perpetuate the memory of their achievements.  In addition, religion was a major factor.  In contrast to modern religions, there were no sacred texts and dogma but rather a strong belief that supernatural beings did exist.  It was important to retain the favor and support of these beings through expressions of veneration such as grand visual art. 

Third, speaking skills and overall intellectual development took on much higher prominence and importance.  As Athens’ reputation grew as an imperial capital, it attracted an assortment of teachers and intellectuals beginning in the middle of the 5th century.  They were called the Sophists, a term that became derogatory in the 4th century but initially meant those with unique expertise and deep knowledge that enhanced society. Rhetorical skills were especially valued due to the critical importance democracy placed on debate and the power to persuade.  In addition, these skills required broad intellectual development in areas such as ethics, morality, justice, politics, poetry, mathematics, astronomy, and music.  For the first time, in an explicit and formal way, intellectual development and building of the skills of rhetoric, reasoning, analysis, and debate became the key focus of the education of those who wanted to lead. This is a marked change from leaders coming from the aristocratic arete of the high-born.  The “new political arete was brain-power and word-power and the capacity these gave see the right course and persuade people to follow it. This was a capacity that could be taught and was divorced from class. It was a new educational idea that was to leave a permit in front of the European educational tradition.”(Mitchell)

So, why did this amazing cultural explosion take place?  The Athenians were motivated by strong national pride and a drive for glory and primacy, to create an imperial capital that was symbolized by physical beauty to show the greatness of Athens and consecrate and extend the memory of its gods, heroes, and accomplishments. Of course this was only possible due to the great wealth that came from empire.  

However, all of these factors were made possible by the development of democracy and the way that it entirely changed the character of political life and the views and objectives of the public.  “the same revolutionary energy inhibition dictated all the big decisions of the demos during the first half of the fifth century, and decision to divert large sums of public money to make Athens a symbol and a shrine with eating achievement and superiority is fully in keeping with the strive to be first and best….The spirit of Athenian democracy deserves to be recognized as a primary influence in the generation of the great legacy of Athenian art and architecture.”(Mitchell)  

Finally, the impact of democracy on the literary and intellectual movements is greater still. They were of course made possible by the democracy-driven wealth and power of Athens that attracted many and turned Athens into a cultural center. In addition, “there was a need for new directions in education to provide the skills required for success in a democracy. The culture of free speech gave scope for literary innovation and intellectual speculation. In the city where leisure was growing and there was a fondness for festivals and entertainment the theater became a central feature of recreational life.”(Mitchell) In general, cultural awareness grew substantially.  Aristotle noted that after the achievement of wealth and military power, there was a turning towards intellectual considerations. Halfway through the fifth century, the new outlet for the Athenians’ ambition and restless energy was cultural superiority. 

Despite all of this, in short order the Athenian democracy was nearly destroyed due to plague and the well-established human characteristics of hubris and will to power.  I will turn to this tragic reversal in the next post.