The Origins of The Origins of DemocracyDemocracyThe Green FamilyThe Green Family

Introductory History UnitIntroductory History Unit

The state of California has established the following The state of California has established the following standards to be learned in the tenth grade.standards to be learned in the tenth grade.

10.1.110.1.1 Students will analyze the similarities and Students will analyze the similarities and differences in Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian views differences in Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian views of Law, Reason, Faith, and the duties, and of Law, Reason, Faith, and the duties, and responsibilities, of the individual.responsibilities, of the individual.

10.1.2 10.1.2 Students will trace the development of the Students will trace the development of the Western political ideas of; the Rule of Law, Democracy, Western political ideas of; the Rule of Law, Democracy, and Tyrannyand Tyranny

Greek lecture:Greek lecture: 1. INNOVATION1. INNOVATION…… means a brand new thought, invention, or strategy...means a brand new thought, invention, or strategy... The Ancient Greeks The Ancient Greeks innovateinnovate a culture that becomes the a culture that becomes the

foundation of Western Civilization.foundation of Western Civilization. A. DramaA. Drama B. Architecture B. Architecture C. ScienceC. Science D. Mathematics D. Mathematics E. History E. History F. Politics F. Politics G. Philosophy G. Philosophy H. GovernmentH. Government

This is me if you don’t do your homework!!!

Greek drama: antagonist, catastrophe, catharsis, character, chorus, comedy, conflict, dialogue, drama, epic, foil, hubris, legend, motivation, myth, ode, persona, plot, protagonist, scenery, setting, tragedy.

Odysseus

The Sirens

Greek Architecture

columns

Herodotus…the “father of history”

Euclid…mathematics (geometry)

Pythagoras…mathematics

2. GEOGRAPHY2. GEOGRAPHY Played an important role in Greece’s development…why do you Played an important role in Greece’s development…why do you

think? think? Greece occupies a small, mountainous peninsula.Greece occupies a small, mountainous peninsula. The mountains isolated Greek communities, so they followed The mountains isolated Greek communities, so they followed

their own ways of lifetheir own ways of life These communities developed into city-states…the These communities developed into city-states…the POLISPOLIS The polis consisted of the city and the surrounding countryside. The polis consisted of the city and the surrounding countryside. Politics means…the things of the polisPolitics means…the things of the polis

There are 100’s of little islands in the Aegean

Greek City-states…the POLISAll political, social and religious activities took place in the polisFrom polis we get…politics,MetropolisAcropolisCosmopolitanAnd PoliceThese city-states become very independent and even fought each other.Check out the map…see how isolated from each other they are?You will notice that Greece has a huge coastline…lots of seaThe sea made the Greeks explore and set up new cities and settlements throughout the Mediterranean.

Politics…Greek stylePolitics…Greek style The running of the polis soon fell into the hands of local rich men, called…?The running of the polis soon fell into the hands of local rich men, called…? An An Oligarchy Oligarchy …a form of government where a few wealthy people hold power …a form of government where a few wealthy people hold power

over a larger group of citizens.over a larger group of citizens. The gap between the rich and the poor grew wider under the oligarchy system The gap between the rich and the poor grew wider under the oligarchy system

and this led to…?and this led to…? The rise of The rise of Tyranny Tyranny …an authoritarian form of government where one man seizes …an authoritarian form of government where one man seizes

power and rules single-handedlypower and rules single-handedly Some Some Tyrants Tyrants were good for their city-states while others were cruel and power were good for their city-states while others were cruel and power

hungryhungry Tyrants were rulers who were not subject to the law…they could do anything they Tyrants were rulers who were not subject to the law…they could do anything they

wantedwanted Should rulers/leaders/politicians be above the law?Should rulers/leaders/politicians be above the law? In the Greek city-state of In the Greek city-state of Athens,Athens, tyranny did not last long…soon Athenians were tyranny did not last long…soon Athenians were

asking for more say in the way their city was run.asking for more say in the way their city was run. They rejected authoritarian forms of government, such as tyranny, chieftains, or They rejected authoritarian forms of government, such as tyranny, chieftains, or

kingskings They developed a form of government where all adult males were members of an They developed a form of government where all adult males were members of an

assembly, or assembly, or legislature. legislature. We call this form of government…?We call this form of government…? DemocracyDemocracy …democracy is 2 Greek words…demos=people and …democracy is 2 Greek words…demos=people and

cracy=government.cracy=government. Democracy then means “rule of the people”Democracy then means “rule of the people” Women, in Greece, were not allowed to participate in law-makingWomen, in Greece, were not allowed to participate in law-making In fact, women were not even allowed to eat at the same table as their In fact, women were not even allowed to eat at the same table as their

husbands…husbands…

The male citizens of Athens met about 40 times a year to debate and The male citizens of Athens met about 40 times a year to debate and decide public issues.decide public issues.

They declared war, signed treaties, and spent taxes…maybe that’s why They declared war, signed treaties, and spent taxes…maybe that’s why they didn’t allow women…I’m just kidding!they didn’t allow women…I’m just kidding!

So, from the lowliest worker to the richest man all had the right to vote, So, from the lowliest worker to the richest man all had the right to vote, to hold public office, and to express his opinion in the assembly. to hold public office, and to express his opinion in the assembly.

Clearly, such a system was based on the belief that the average citizen Clearly, such a system was based on the belief that the average citizen was capable of participating intelligently in the affairs of state. was capable of participating intelligently in the affairs of state.

The greatest Athenian statesman Pericles said:The greatest Athenian statesman Pericles said: “ “ Our constitution is called a democracy because power Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands of the many and not the few”is in the hands of the many and not the few”

Pericles

Pericles and other men meeting in the assembly

A modern Greek drachma coin

The ideals of the democratic state could only have happened in a The ideals of the democratic state could only have happened in a society that had a respect for human intelligence and the power society that had a respect for human intelligence and the power of reason.of reason.

The Greeks were the first people to try to explain nature, human The Greeks were the first people to try to explain nature, human behavior, and culture, scientifically. behavior, and culture, scientifically.

Earlier peoples, including Greeks, had interpreted the world…Earlier peoples, including Greeks, had interpreted the world…nature…through myths. nature…through myths.

An example of a myth…how do you explain an echo?

There was a human named Narcissus. He was so handsome that every girl or boy that saw him immediately fell in love with him. But Narcissus had no heart and loved no one.One day, Echo met Narcissus and fell in love with him. Echo could not speak to him, but she had felt she needed to see him. So Echo followed him, just enough to see him, but not enough to be seen.Narcissus became lost and called out, "Is anyone here?"Echo said, "Here, here, here."Narcissus told whoever was there to come out. Echo came out and, because she couldn't talk, used her hands to show Narcissus how much she loved him. Narcissus, annoyed that so many people liked him, rejected her love. Echo, heart-broken, prayed to Aphrodite for death. Her prayer was answered, but Aphrodite loved her voice, so she let her voice live on.

Prometheus is the Titan chiefly honored for stealing fire from Zeus in the Prometheus is the Titan chiefly honored for stealing fire from Zeus in the stalk of a fennel plant and giving it to mortal humans for their use. For stalk of a fennel plant and giving it to mortal humans for their use. For that, Zeus ordered him to be chained on top of the Caucasus mountains. that, Zeus ordered him to be chained on top of the Caucasus mountains. Every day an eagle would come and eat his liver, but since Prometheus Every day an eagle would come and eat his liver, but since Prometheus was immortal, his liver always grew back, so he was left to bear the pain was immortal, his liver always grew back, so he was left to bear the pain every day. He is depicted as an intelligent and cunning figure who had every day. He is depicted as an intelligent and cunning figure who had sympathy for humanity. sympathy for humanity.

How did humans discover fire? According to the ancient Greeks…

Prometheus bringing fire

Prometheus bound up

Prometheus statue in New York’s Rockefeller Centre

Let’s get back to reason, science and human Let’s get back to reason, science and human potential…potential…

The first Greek philosophers were not satisfied in explaining nature, and The first Greek philosophers were not satisfied in explaining nature, and how it worked, to be the actions of the gods…lightning was not Zeus how it worked, to be the actions of the gods…lightning was not Zeus throwing bolts from Mt. Olympus. throwing bolts from Mt. Olympus.

Instead, all things in the Instead, all things in the Natural WorldNatural World followed predictable patterns, followed predictable patterns, which they called which they called Natural Laws.Natural Laws.

The rules of nature could be discovered by human beings through careful The rules of nature could be discovered by human beings through careful observation and observation and reasoned enquiry.reasoned enquiry.

Socrates was the first of the three great Athenian philosophers (the other Socrates was the first of the three great Athenian philosophers (the other two are Plato and Aristotle).two are Plato and Aristotle). When Socrates was in his forties or so, he began to feel

an urge to think about the world around him, and try to answer some difficult questions. He asked, "What is wisdom?" and "What is beauty?" and "What is the right thing to do?" He knew that these questions were hard to answer, and he thought it would be better to have a lot of people discuss the answers together, so that they might come up with more ideas. So he began to go around Athens asking people he met these questions, "What is wisdom?“... Sometimes the people just said they were busy, but sometimes they would try to answer him. Then Socrates would try to teach them to think better by asking them more questions which showed them the problems in their logic. Often this made people angry. Sometimes they even tried to beat him up. We do not have any pictures of him…just sculptures…he was supposed to be

pretty ugly!

Socrates loved Socrates loved Philosophy Philosophy …the love of wisdom. …the love of wisdom. He taught a number of students…not for pay…he believed the role of He taught a number of students…not for pay…he believed the role of

education was to improve the individual…he questioned everything!education was to improve the individual…he questioned everything! His questioning of authority led him into trouble with the leaders of His questioning of authority led him into trouble with the leaders of

Athens…does this sound like Antigone?Athens…does this sound like Antigone? He was tried and found guilty of treason…and sentenced to death by He was tried and found guilty of treason…and sentenced to death by

hemlock poisoning.hemlock poisoning.

The Death of Socrates

One of Socrates’ students was PLATO…probably One of Socrates’ students was PLATO…probably the greatest philosopher in western civilization.the greatest philosopher in western civilization.

When Plato was a young man, he went to listen When Plato was a young man, he went to listen to Socrates, and learned a lot from Socrates to Socrates, and learned a lot from Socrates about how to think, and what sort of questions to about how to think, and what sort of questions to think about.think about.

Plato began to write down his own ideas about Plato began to write down his own ideas about philosophy instead of just writing down Socrates' philosophy instead of just writing down Socrates' ideas. ideas.

One of his earlier works/book is One of his earlier works/book is TheThe RepublicRepublic, , which describes what Plato thought would be a which describes what Plato thought would be a better form of government than the government better form of government than the government of Athens. of Athens.

Plato thought that most people were Plato thought that most people were pretty pretty stupidstupid, and so they should not be voting about , and so they should not be voting about what to do….can you blame him? And, he hadn’t what to do….can you blame him? And, he hadn’t even met my mother-in-law!even met my mother-in-law!

Instead, the best people should be chosen to be Instead, the best people should be chosen to be the guardians of the rest. the guardians of the rest.

Plato was from a rich aristocratic family, so he Plato was from a rich aristocratic family, so he probably considered himself among the best probably considered himself among the best people!. people!.

Plato believed that for society to work it Plato believed that for society to work it needs to have order…Order gives stabilityneeds to have order…Order gives stability

Law and justice give order and stabilityLaw and justice give order and stability

House point challenge:What was the Academy?

One of the ways Plato tried to explain his ideas was with the famous metaphor of One of the ways Plato tried to explain his ideas was with the famous metaphor of the cave. He said, Suppose there is a cave, and inside the cave there are some men the cave. He said, Suppose there is a cave, and inside the cave there are some men chained up to a wall, so that they can only see the back wall of the cave and chained up to a wall, so that they can only see the back wall of the cave and nothing else. These men can't see anything outside of the cave, or even see each nothing else. These men can't see anything outside of the cave, or even see each other clearly, but they can see shadows of what is going on outside the cave. other clearly, but they can see shadows of what is going on outside the cave. Wouldn't these prisoners come to think that the shadows were real, and that was Wouldn't these prisoners come to think that the shadows were real, and that was what things really looked like? what things really looked like?

Suppose now that one of the men escaped, and got out of the cave, and saw what Suppose now that one of the men escaped, and got out of the cave, and saw what real people looked like, and real trees and grass. If he went back to the cave and real people looked like, and real trees and grass. If he went back to the cave and told the other men what he had seen, would they believe him, or would they think told the other men what he had seen, would they believe him, or would they think he was crazy? he was crazy?

Plato says that we are like those men sitting in the cave: we think we understand Plato says that we are like those men sitting in the cave: we think we understand the real world, but because we are trapped in our bodies we can see only the the real world, but because we are trapped in our bodies we can see only the shadows on the wall. shadows on the wall.

One of his goals is to help us understand the real world better, by finding ways to One of his goals is to help us understand the real world better, by finding ways to predict or understand the real world even without being able to see it. predict or understand the real world even without being able to see it.

What is truth? What is reality?

Let’s finish Plato with a quick look at one of the most important works in Let’s finish Plato with a quick look at one of the most important works in literature…literature…

The RepublicThe Republic In In The RepublicThe Republic he writes about the perfect form of government… he writes about the perfect form of government… He didn’t like democracy because he didn’t think people were He didn’t like democracy because he didn’t think people were

ETHICAL. ETHICAL. House point challenge: what do the following mean…ETHICAL, House point challenge: what do the following mean…ETHICAL,

WISDOM, COURAGE and MORAL?WISDOM, COURAGE and MORAL? In In The RepublicThe Republic Plato divides society into three: Plato divides society into three: A. at the top…philosopher kings who were inspired by wisdomA. at the top…philosopher kings who were inspired by wisdom B. second group…warriors who protected societyB. second group…warriors who protected society C. the rest…the masses, people who are not driven by wisdom or C. the rest…the masses, people who are not driven by wisdom or

courage but by a desire for material things “stuff”courage but by a desire for material things “stuff”

**** Very important and you must remember it…or!!!**** Very important and you must remember it…or!!! PLATO BELIEVED THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, PLATO BELIEVED THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, NOTNOT

THE HAPPINESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL WAS THE MOST THE HAPPINESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGIMPORTANT THING

ARISTOTLE was a student of PlatoARISTOTLE was a student of Plato Unlike Plato…who believed in a Unlike Plato…who believed in a

perfect state… Aristotle did not perfect state… Aristotle did not think a perfect state could existthink a perfect state could exist

He examined a lot of different He examined a lot of different kinds of government around at kinds of government around at that timethat time

House point challenge: identify House point challenge: identify and explain what the following and explain what the following governments aregovernments are CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENTCONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT MONARCHYMONARCHY ARISTOCRACYARISTOCRACY OLIGARCHIESOLIGARCHIES TYRANNIESTYRANNIES DEMOCRACIESDEMOCRACIES REPUBLICSREPUBLICS 10 POINTS FOR EACH ONE10 POINTS FOR EACH ONE Aristotle favored Aristotle favored constitutional constitutional

monarchy monarchy Don’t get mad…Don’t get mad… He believed women were He believed women were

inferior to men and should be inferior to men and should be subordinate in marriage and subordinate in marriage and societysociety

As we finish with the Greeks let’s remember one of their greatest As we finish with the Greeks let’s remember one of their greatest achievementsachievements

They questioned the old ways of looking at the world.They questioned the old ways of looking at the world. Over time, every aspect of Greek civilization – science, art, literature, Over time, every aspect of Greek civilization – science, art, literature,

drama, and politics – showed a growing reliance on reason and inquiry and drama, and politics – showed a growing reliance on reason and inquiry and less dependence on the supernatural or traditional explanationsless dependence on the supernatural or traditional explanations

With this achievement, the Greeks broke decisively with the past.With this achievement, the Greeks broke decisively with the past.

Let us do a comparison between two Greek city-statesLet us do a comparison between two Greek city-states

Democracy…all citizens (free Democracy…all citizens (free males) participated in government males) participated in government activitiesactivities

All citizens were equal before the All citizens were equal before the lawlaw

Women and slaves were denied Women and slaves were denied citizenshipcitizenship

Young Athenians developed their Young Athenians developed their artistic, and intellectual sides.artistic, and intellectual sides.

Philosophy, mathematics, science, Philosophy, mathematics, science, and drama flourished. and drama flourished.

Pursued individual wealthPursued individual wealth

Individuality very importantIndividuality very important Individual quest for happiness Individual quest for happiness

importantimportant

Totalitarianism: a form of government Totalitarianism: a form of government that uses force and power to rule its that uses force and power to rule its own people.own people.

Spartan society was divided into 3 Spartan society was divided into 3 groups;groups;

1. slaves…provided food and labor1. slaves…provided food and labor 2. women…taught to be fit, brave, 2. women…taught to be fit, brave,

patriotic, and make babies for Spartapatriotic, and make babies for Sparta 3. Men…all became warriors3. Men…all became warriors

Newborn babies judged to be weak Newborn babies judged to be weak were killedwere killed

Boys at the age of 7 were taken Boys at the age of 7 were taken from home to live in army barracks from home to live in army barracks and received military trainingand received military training

They were barefoot and wore They were barefoot and wore minimal clothing to toughen them minimal clothing to toughen them upup

Gave up wealth as unpatrioticGave up wealth as unpatrioticSpartan men glorified war!Spartan men glorified war!

No room for individualityNo room for individualityState before the individual is most State before the individual is most

importantimportant

ATHENS SPARTA

The following modern quotes are more like Athens or Sparta?

“All development is struggle”“Only force rules”“…all men are created equal…”“liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”“history has been determined by the principle of force and power”“governments derive their power from

the consent of the governed”Two men are responsible for these quotes. One stressed equality and democracy.The other stressed totalitarianism…state before individual.House point challenge: who were they?

What does this political cartoon have to do with what we are learning?

Let us jump ahead, from the Greeks to the Let us jump ahead, from the Greeks to the Romans Romans

We have seen how the ancient Greeks contributed to the development of We have seen how the ancient Greeks contributed to the development of WESTERN CIVILIZATION…WESTERN CIVILIZATION…Individualism, science, government, drama, Individualism, science, government, drama, architecture, art, philosophy, exploration, and innovation.architecture, art, philosophy, exploration, and innovation.

The Romans contributed to the development of Western Civilization too…The Romans contributed to the development of Western Civilization too… The center of this civilization was the city of Rome, in Italy.The center of this civilization was the city of Rome, in Italy.

The Romans set up a The Romans set up a REPUBLICREPUBLIC …a form of government without a king or …a form of government without a king or queen… the term "republic" is generally applied to a state where the queen… the term "republic" is generally applied to a state where the government's political power depends solely on the consent of the people government's political power depends solely on the consent of the people governed.governed.

The Roman republic grew to be a great power by conquering lands and The Roman republic grew to be a great power by conquering lands and then bringing the conquered peoples into its systemthen bringing the conquered peoples into its system

Everyone wanted to be a Roman citizen!Everyone wanted to be a Roman citizen! While the Greeks lived in small city-states, each governed by different laws, While the Greeks lived in small city-states, each governed by different laws,

the Romans controlled an enormous amount of territory. the Romans controlled an enormous amount of territory. House point challenge:What language did the Romans speak?What modern languages are derived from _ _ _ _ _?What did Romans use for toilet paper?

The Romans allowed conquered peoples to keep their cultures and The Romans allowed conquered peoples to keep their cultures and traditions, but…they established traditions, but…they established one system of lawsone system of laws for the whole for the whole empire.empire.

Romans, like the Greeks, believed laws should be based on principles of Romans, like the Greeks, believed laws should be based on principles of Reason and Justice Reason and Justice and should protect citizens and property. and should protect citizens and property.

An example of a Roman law…see if you recognize it… “No one should An example of a Roman law…see if you recognize it… “No one should suffer a penalty for what he thinks.”suffer a penalty for what he thinks.”

House point challenge: what similarity can you see between this law and House point challenge: what similarity can you see between this law and the first amendment to the US constitution?the first amendment to the US constitution?

Here is another one… “in inflicting penalties, the age of the guilty party Here is another one… “in inflicting penalties, the age of the guilty party must be taken into account” must be taken into account”

NATURAL LAWNATURAL LAW Like the Greeks, the Romans believed the Like the Greeks, the Romans believed the RULES OF NATURERULES OF NATURE could be could be

discovered by discovered by careful observation careful observation …show me you understand by writing …show me you understand by writing an example.an example.

The Romans also believed that all human beings were born alike and The Romans also believed that all human beings were born alike and should all be subject to the same should all be subject to the same moral laws and principles moral laws and principles

Human laws SHOULD agree with natural law….that is…all people are Human laws SHOULD agree with natural law….that is…all people are born with certain born with certain natural rights that NO government can take away, or natural rights that NO government can take away, or deny. deny.

Now give me examples of natural rights…Now give me examples of natural rights…

JUST THREE OF THE JUST THREE OF THE EMPERORS WE WILL NOT BE EMPERORS WE WILL NOT BE STUDYING…WHAT A SHAME, STUDYING…WHAT A SHAME, BECAUSE BORING THEY ARE BECAUSE BORING THEY ARE NOTNOT

CITIZENSHIP…WHAT IS IT?CITIZENSHIP…WHAT IS IT? During Roman times a person was proud to say – “I am a Roman citizen”During Roman times a person was proud to say – “I am a Roman citizen” Roman citizenship was a kind of invisible shield of respect.Roman citizenship was a kind of invisible shield of respect. It meant that the citizen was protected by the laws of the Roman Empire.It meant that the citizen was protected by the laws of the Roman Empire. Men and women could be citizens.Men and women could be citizens. Of course, only male citizens could hold public office…they were also Of course, only male citizens could hold public office…they were also

expected to fight for Rome.expected to fight for Rome. The idea of “CITIZENSHIP”, like many of our basic ideas of government, The idea of “CITIZENSHIP”, like many of our basic ideas of government,

began with the ancient Greek city-states and the Roman Republic.began with the ancient Greek city-states and the Roman Republic. When people had both rights and responsibilities in their When people had both rights and responsibilities in their

communities, people became “citizens.”communities, people became “citizens.” As we will see in the next unit…American and French Revolutions…As we will see in the next unit…American and French Revolutions…

modern states developed and the term “citizen” became common again.modern states developed and the term “citizen” became common again. All modern states –not just democratic ones- have citizens, though their All modern states –not just democratic ones- have citizens, though their

rights and responsibilities vary.rights and responsibilities vary. In general, citizens are expected to be loyal to the nation, obey its laws, In general, citizens are expected to be loyal to the nation, obey its laws,

pay taxes, and perhaps give military service.pay taxes, and perhaps give military service. In return, the state is supposed to protect its citizens.In return, the state is supposed to protect its citizens. House point challenge: With the other members of your house discuss the House point challenge: With the other members of your house discuss the

rights/things you have/receive from our government…and list them.rights/things you have/receive from our government…and list them. Discuss, and list, the rights/things you think we should have, but don’t.Discuss, and list, the rights/things you think we should have, but don’t.

The Judeo-Christian Tradition…The Judeo-Christian Tradition… Ancient Greece and Rome are two sources Ancient Greece and Rome are two sources

of Western democratic ideals.of Western democratic ideals. A third source is the A third source is the Judeo-Christian Judeo-Christian

TraditionTradition The ancient HEBREWS had, by about 1000 The ancient HEBREWS had, by about 1000

B.C. established the State of Israel…also B.C. established the State of Israel…also know as Judea.know as Judea.

They were the first people to believe in They were the first people to believe in monotheismmonotheism…the belief in one God. …the belief in one God.

They set down their laws and traditions in a They set down their laws and traditions in a sacred book…sacred book…The BibleThe Bible, or , or The Torah….The Torah….it is it is also known as The Old Testament.also known as The Old Testament.

The Hebrews, or Jews as they would The Hebrews, or Jews as they would become known as…they came from Judea.become known as…they came from Judea.

They believed in one God, a God that is They believed in one God, a God that is perfect, all-knowing, all powerful, and perfect, all-knowing, all powerful, and eternal.eternal.

Earlier peoples…like the Greeks and Earlier peoples…like the Greeks and Romans…believed in many gods.Romans…believed in many gods.

The Hebrews/Jews believed that it was The Hebrews/Jews believed that it was God’s wish for people to live moral lives.God’s wish for people to live moral lives.

Hebrew alphabet… Hebrew alphabet… זו        ה        ד        ג        ב        א                ס        נן        מם        ל כך        י        ט        ח פףפף        עע

תת        שש        רר        קק        צץצץ

The Hebrew scriptures…the Bible…state that human beings are created in God’s image.The Hebrew scriptures…the Bible…state that human beings are created in God’s image. This meant within each human being is a divine spark…soul…which gives everyone a This meant within each human being is a divine spark…soul…which gives everyone a dignitydignity that that

cannot be taken away.cannot be taken away. For the Greeks and Romans human beings had dignity because they had the ability to reason.For the Greeks and Romans human beings had dignity because they had the ability to reason. For the Hebrews, each person had dignity simply by being a child of God.For the Hebrews, each person had dignity simply by being a child of God. The Hebrews believed that God had given humans The Hebrews believed that God had given humans moral moral freedom…the capacity to choose between freedom…the capacity to choose between

good and evil.good and evil. Therefore, each person was responsible for the choices he or she made.Therefore, each person was responsible for the choices he or she made. And that’s why God gave the Hebrews the 10 Commandments…to live a moral life.And that’s why God gave the Hebrews the 10 Commandments…to live a moral life. The spiritual leaders of the Hebrews were the prophets…messengers of God.The spiritual leaders of the Hebrews were the prophets…messengers of God. The prophets attacked war, The prophets attacked war, oppressionoppression, and greed., and greed. The Hebrews believed all people have the right to be treated with The Hebrews believed all people have the right to be treated with justicejustice and dignity. and dignity. They believed that it is the responsibility of every person to denounce They believed that it is the responsibility of every person to denounce injusticeinjustice and oppression and and oppression and

the community should assist the poor and unfortunate.the community should assist the poor and unfortunate. The prophets held out the hope that life on earth could be improved, that poverty and injustice need The prophets held out the hope that life on earth could be improved, that poverty and injustice need

not be accepted…not be accepted… And, every individual was capable of living to a high moral standard.And, every individual was capable of living to a high moral standard.

Moses with the 10 Commandments.Moses with the 10 Commandments.You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.You shall not steal

3 examples

The movie

The sculpture

In the first century a Jewish Rabbi…teacher…named Jesus was traveling throughout In the first century a Jewish Rabbi…teacher…named Jesus was traveling throughout Israel preaching.Israel preaching.

Israel had been conquered by the Romans and had become a province of Rome…no Israel had been conquered by the Romans and had become a province of Rome…no longer an independent state.longer an independent state.

The Romans changed the name of Israel to Palestine…after the Philistines, Israel’s The Romans changed the name of Israel to Palestine…after the Philistines, Israel’s enemy.enemy.

Jesus adopted much of the Prophets’ moral outlook.Jesus adopted much of the Prophets’ moral outlook. Like them, he believed human beings were God’s children and were judged Like them, he believed human beings were God’s children and were judged

according to high moral standards.according to high moral standards. Like them, he spoke out against injustice.Like them, he spoke out against injustice. Like them, he saw morality as the essence of Jewish faith… “..do unto others only Like them, he saw morality as the essence of Jewish faith… “..do unto others only

what you would have done to yourself”what you would have done to yourself” The early Christians were Jews.The early Christians were Jews. Unlike the other sects of Jews, the Christians were evangelists…they wanted to Unlike the other sects of Jews, the Christians were evangelists…they wanted to

spread their beliefs to all people.spread their beliefs to all people. Christian missionaries worked throughout the Roman Empire to convert people to Christian missionaries worked throughout the Roman Empire to convert people to

Christianity.Christianity. And so, from the Judeo-Christian tradition there emerged several ideals that have And so, from the Judeo-Christian tradition there emerged several ideals that have

been crucial to the shaping of a democratic outlook…been crucial to the shaping of a democratic outlook… The sacred worth of the individualThe sacred worth of the individual

The duty of the individual and of the community to combat oppressionThe duty of the individual and of the community to combat oppression And the equality of people before God.And the equality of people before God.