Reasons why the Persians were such a formidable enemy for the Greeks; Persians’ and Greeks’ advantages
During the Persian Wars, Ancient Greece faced considerable challenges, as the opponent had become a serious enemy. The strength of the Persians was conditioned by their strong economy, which ensured a steady supply of resources used in warfare. According to historical accounts, the number of Persia’s subjects was in millions at the time, and the effective taxation policy included food, metals, and other resources required for a capable army (Yates, 2019). The nation’s kings wielded immense power, ensuring the respect of the people, which positively affected the military morale. However, while the advantage in resources may have been on Persia’s side, Greece was superior in terms of resources. The latter also utilized its scientific knowledge of topography and natural sciences. As a result, Ancient Greece managed to emerge victorious from the continuous bloodshed of the Persian Wars.
The increasingly democratic reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes were critically important in the development of Greece’s unique form of government. Discussion of the economic pressures which precipitated these reforms.
Ancient Greece is a notable historical phenomenon for many reasons, as this nation made a significant contribution to global development. As such, its status as the cradle of democracy remains one of its most remarkable achievements. The reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes laid the foundation for democratic development. As suggested by historical accounts, the reforms stem from a severe crisis, from which Greece suffered before Solon (“Athenian democracy”, n.d.). Apparently, Greek citizens were seriously indebted at the time, and regular people were often enslavement in favor of the ruling elite. Consequently, the productivity and support of the citizens rapidly decreased, as the tensions between them and the aristocracy impaired the nation’s economic capability. Solon, and later Cleisthenes, addressed this issue by canceling the current debt load and enhancing citizens’ rights, which became a major step toward comprehensive democracy.
Changes Greek art brought to the fast-paced Archaic period
Art was another important component of Ancient Greece’s contribution to global development. By the 7th century B.C., the traditional geometric style was replaced by naturalistic art, enabled by the increasing foreign links (Lavelle, 2019). Greek poleis established multiple trade posts in the outer reaches of the nation, including the Middle East and the Mediterranean coast, which contributed to the cultural exchange with other states. The naturalistic style, including detailed sculptures and non-abstract patterns, was adopted from the Eastern civilization, signifying the increasing cultural interference. Griffins, sirens, sphinxes, and other entities of Eastern folklore were introduced in Greece at the time. Overall, this period in art resembles the general tendency of Greece’s rapid development and changeability. It became a turning point for the nation, which determined its further development.
References
Athenian Democracy. (n.d.). The University of Vermont. 2021, Web.
Lavelle, B. M. (2019). Archaic Greece: The age of new reckonings. John Wiley & Sons.
Yates, D. C. (2019). States of memory: The polis, panhellenism, and the Persian War. Oxford University Press.