Greece and America Katie Byars
In Pericles speech he brags on Athens and how it is better than every other
city-state around it. This is on purpose of course. Giving the speech at the funeral
has a good time to use propaganda to encourage the people and lift up their
sports. But all that talk about how great Athens is reminds me of how people
like to say how great America is. Pericles states that Athens` “constitution does
not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than
imitators ourselves.” America went through a stage where it thought itself better
than the other countries and thought that it was America's duty to help the others
get democracy. Pericles states in his speech that “If we look to the laws, they
afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing,
advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations
not being allowed to interfere with merit” But for what we know of Athenian
democracy only rich males were really in charge. There was a fee for wasting
the judges time and women had to stay in the house. If you want to have a lot
of say you would have to have a lot of money to not work while you vote. In
America, we started off the same way rich men in charge. America eventually
allowed poor, women, and other races to vote. When the future looks back on
America what will they say about us? Will it be like how we look at the Greeks
full of pride of how great they were but in reality were very much flawed?
city-state around it. This is on purpose of course. Giving the speech at the funeral
has a good time to use propaganda to encourage the people and lift up their
sports. But all that talk about how great Athens is reminds me of how people
like to say how great America is. Pericles states that Athens` “constitution does
not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than
imitators ourselves.” America went through a stage where it thought itself better
than the other countries and thought that it was America's duty to help the others
get democracy. Pericles states in his speech that “If we look to the laws, they
afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing,
advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations
not being allowed to interfere with merit” But for what we know of Athenian
democracy only rich males were really in charge. There was a fee for wasting
the judges time and women had to stay in the house. If you want to have a lot
of say you would have to have a lot of money to not work while you vote. In
America, we started off the same way rich men in charge. America eventually
allowed poor, women, and other races to vote. When the future looks back on
America what will they say about us? Will it be like how we look at the Greeks
full of pride of how great they were but in reality were very much flawed?
I posted on Joshua`s and Gray`s posts.
There were SOOOOO many comparisons you could make between America and Athens as described in this speech (I can't wait to discuss them in class). However, the differences are in pursuit. Athen's was clear on the pursuit of knowledge and a higher way of life as well as honor for one's country. Today, Americans would say the "American Dream" looks vastly different.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. There are many similarities between America and Athens. This speech was a great time for propaganda just as a speech for war. It makes citizens proud of their country. When I look back on Athens, personally, I think them allowing people to choose and play a role in government is great. Yes they had their flaws, but if it wasn't for Athens or speeches like this then we wouldn't have them as examples for today.
ReplyDeleteLook at the speech given on 9/11. We see in the face of hardship both Athens and America show that even though they are grief stricken the gem of that culture is left un-tarnished and will stand strong.
ReplyDelete