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"How could things like democracy, philosophy, mathematics, etc. flourish in an unstable environment?" Greeks had a developed (and wide available) writing syste

"How could things like democracy, philosophy, mathematics, etc. flourish in an unstable environment?" Greeks had a developed (and wide available) writing system, Greeks had a not-so-restrictive religion, and (perhaps most importantly) - Greeks had a great economical advantage over a lot of other people around them. Yes, Greeks were good warriors, but they liked very much to just use others (mostly as mercenaries) in order to solve things, and trowed themselves in battles only as a last resort (like when the Greek cities fought among themselves and persuading others to join them was somewhat difficult). Greeks had a very large network of economic centers and all that value of connecting cheap worlds was primarily theirs. The flourishing of the arts and science was just a result of the general wealth flowing all around - life was cheaper and easier compared to other places, so what the average ἀνήρ was supposed to do with their spare energy? (Hint: connecting the dots here and there, just the way Greeks as a people used to do all the time.)

atmosx 11y ago
I disagree. The Persian empire was just as (if not more) wealthy than the Greeks although not as technologically advanced. I think what distinguished Athens (and Greece) was "tolerance" towards foreigners. Although they called them 'Barbarians' (meaning Not Greek - with a strong negative flavor), at the same time foreigners were welcome to study and teach in Athens. Most sophists (e.g. Protagoras and Gorgias) were not Athenians. Aristotle was not an Athenian citizen. Socrates was poor. But he was craved by the young because of his spirit. At the same time you have political Satire openly mocking Socrates and other major political (some extremely powerful) figures of the Athenian life. Euripedi's 'Trojan Women' play, was essentially a commentary on the capture of the Aegean island of Melos and the subsequent slaughter and subjugation of its populace by the Athenians earlier that year! It's incredible the fact that he dared to do so! Of course that's the reason we still watch his plays (2.500 years later...). IMHO it was tolerance that made Athens great.
- restalis 11y ago
  The Persian Empire had a lot of subjugated populace. The worry of rebellion and other problems plagued them all the time. Greeks on the other hand were very laid back in comparison. The conditions for investment of available effort was very different between those two. The tolerance vs. discriminating attitude are in fact derived from the political relation which a group of people is with another group of people in such instance.
  - dghf 11y ago
    > The Persian Empire had a lot of subjugated populace. The worry of rebellion and other problems plagued them all the time. Greeks on the other hand were very laid back in comparison. Maybe not all the Greeks. The Spartans were a small group ruling over a much larger subjugated population (the Helots), who they would try to keep in check through things like an annual murder spree, at least according to Aristotle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helots#Treatment_by_Spartans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helots#Treatment_by_Spartans

atmosx 11y ago

I disagree. The Persian empire was just as (if not more) wealthy than the Greeks although not as technologically advanced. I think what distinguished Athens (and Greece) was "tolerance" towards foreigners. Although they called them 'Barbarians' (meaning Not Greek - with a strong negative flavor), at the same time foreigners were welcome to study and teach in Athens. Most sophists (e.g. Protagoras and Gorgias) were not Athenians. Aristotle was not an Athenian citizen. Socrates was poor. But he was craved by the young because of his spirit. At the same time you have political Satire openly mocking Socrates and other major political (some extremely powerful) figures of the Athenian life. Euripedi's 'Trojan Women' play, was essentially a commentary on the capture of the Aegean island of Melos and the subsequent slaughter and subjugation of its populace by the Athenians earlier that year! It's incredible the fact that he dared to do so! Of course that's the reason we still watch his plays (2.500 years later...). IMHO it was tolerance that made Athens great.

restalis 11y ago
The Persian Empire had a lot of subjugated populace. The worry of rebellion and other problems plagued them all the time. Greeks on the other hand were very laid back in comparison. The conditions for investment of available effort was very different between those two. The tolerance vs. discriminating attitude are in fact derived from the political relation which a group of people is with another group of people in such instance.
- dghf 11y ago
  > The Persian Empire had a lot of subjugated populace. The worry of rebellion and other problems plagued them all the time. Greeks on the other hand were very laid back in comparison. Maybe not all the Greeks. The Spartans were a small group ruling over a much larger subjugated population (the Helots), who they would try to keep in check through things like an annual murder spree, at least according to Aristotle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helots#Treatment_by_Spartans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helots#Treatment_by_Spartans