Ancient Democracy

Ancient Greece first coined the concept of democracy, yet almost every major ancient Greek thinker - from Plato and Aristotle onward - was ambivalent toward or even hostile to democracy in any form. The explanation for this is quite simple: The elite perceived majority power as tantamount to a dictatorship of the proletariat. In ancient Greece, there can be traced not only the rudiments of modern democratic society but the entire Western tradition of antidemocratic thought.

Read this for free with your Kindle Unlimited Membership Greece is a colorful country and has always been the target of many tourists looking to have a relaxing time. However, what many people do not seem to know is that Greece also packs a rich history – all lying beneath the beautiful landscapes and beaches. Its history starts thousands of years before the Christian calendar was used – and each moment represents a cultural artifact that enriched more than a single country. Greece went through many wars – big and small. Some were fought because certain conquerors had their eyes on ...

Tyranny in ancient Greece was not a phenomenon limited to any particular period. Tyrants could be found in power throughout Greece, ruling poleis from the 7th century BC right through to the 2nd century BC, when Roman domination effectively put an end to this form of government throughout the Hellenistic world. That said, the heyday of tyranny was undoubtedly the 7th and 6th centuries BC, and it is in this period, known as the Age of Tyrants, that large numbers of tyrannies arose, particularly in the Peloponnese.

How an ancient land became a great democracy. Longlisted for Best Non Fiction in the Indie Book Awards 2026 'Tony Abbott should be congratulated ... This history of Australia is vivid, readable, provocative' Geoffrey Blainey, historian 'I think it's very good' Tom Holland, historian Australia is...

An intimate study of Abraham Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy, which guided him through the Civil War and is still relevant today—by a best-selling historian and three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize *Winner of the 2024 Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Prize* *Finalist for the 2025...

A rollicking, enlightening examination of humanity’s changing relationship to creativity, written from the perspectives of the Greek Muses. The thing that sets humans apart from other animals is our ability to create, to imagine how one thing could become something else. For millennia, art and...

The definitive translation of Plato's Republic, the most influential text in the history of Western philosophy. “To read The Republic as Bloom means it to be read is to question everything we think we know about government, politics, the best human life, and the nature of truth.” —Adam...

Journey through epic ancient history where warring city-states and mythic empires forged the modern world. Perfect for an engaging daily commute, this immersive narrative transports you directly into the bustling assemblies and blood-soaked battlefields of the Mediterranean. Experience the...

A new history of the world's most embattled idea. Today, democracy is the world's only broadly accepted political system, and yet it has become synonymous with disappointment and crisis. How did it come to this? In Can Democracy Work? James Miller, the author of the classic history of 1960s...

From the leading scholars behind The Greek Plays, a collection of the best translations of the foremost Greek historians, presenting a sweeping history of ancient Greece as recorded by its first chroniclers “Just the thing to remind us that human history, though lamentably a work in progress...

How an ancient land became a great democracy. Longlisted for Best Non Fiction in the Indie Book Awards 2026 'Tony Abbott should be congratulated ... This history of Australia is vivid, readable, provocative' Geoffrey Blainey, historian 'I think it's very good' Tom Holland, historian Australia is...

In this powerful, sweeping history and analysis of American democracy, Thom Hartmann shows how democracy is the one form of governance most likely to produce peace and happiness among people. With the violent exception of the Civil War, American democracy resisted the pressure to disintegrate into factionalism for nearly two centuries, and now our very system of democratic elections is at stake. So how do we save our democracy?

How will democracy end? And what will replace it? A preeminent political scientist examines the past, present, and future of an endangered political philosophy Since the end of World War II, democracy's sweep across the globe seemed inexorable. Yet today, it seems radically imperiled, even in...

The tragic story of ancient Greece's last democratic leader and his doomed fight to save Athens from Macedonian domination In the spring of 340 BCE, news arrived that Philip of Macedon had seized a town in central Greece, a base from which he could march on Athens. In the fierce debates about...

A Non-Fiction Historical Book set in Ancient Athens during the 4th century B.C. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of ancient Athens, where philosophy, theater, and democracy were born. This meticulously researched book takes you on a journey through the city's iconic landmarks, bustling markets, and influential institutions, revealing the intricate web of politics, economy, art, and daily life that defined this fascinating civilization. Explore the intricacies of Athenian society, from the aristocratic elite to the common citizens, as they navigated the complexities ...

From classicist James Romm comes a “striking…fascinating” (Booklist) deep dive into the last decades of ancient Greek freedom leading up to Alexander the Great’s destruction of Thebes—and the saga of the greatest military corps of the time, the Theban Sacred Band, a unit composed of...

Experience the epic European history of conquest and empire across the Iberian Peninsula in this immersive audio journey. Perfect for your daily commute, this dramatic narrative transports you through two millennia of shifting borders, religious warfare, and maritime exploration. Watch cultures...

Witness the dramatic rise and fall of a global empire in this epic journey through European history's fiery frontier. Whether you are transforming your daily commute into an intellectual adventure or preparing for a Mediterranean vacation, this immersive timeline breathes life into the fierce...

Master ancient Greek history with this comprehensive study guide designed specifically for college students. From the Bronze Age palaces of Mycenae to Alexander the Great's vast empire, this guide covers all essential periods of Greek civilization. Each chapter provides clear explanations, recent scholarship, and carefully organized information to help students succeed in their coursework. What You'll Learn: Bronze Age civilizations and the Greek Dark Age Rise of the polis and development of democracy Persian Wars and Classical Athens Philosophy, drama, and cultural achievements ...

What if the ruins of a forgotten world still whispered the secrets of your own? Beneath the marble columns and sun-bleached stones of Ancient Greece lies more than history. There lies a heartbeat. A story of ambition, betrayal, brilliance, and collapse. A story that didn’t end—it became the foundation of everything we call civilization today. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Greece is not just a chronicle of battles and empires. It is a journey into the soul of a people who dared to ask the hardest questions, build the boldest cities, and imagine a world governed by reason instead of fear. ...