In a relatively resource-poor region, a society rose from the access of foreign sources of raw materials and markets abroad. This society came to be known as one of the largest nations in Eurasia. The rise and fall of this great nation has to do with war-fare and the conflict between city-states. Their division led to the widespread of language and culture. This is the great story of Ancient Greece and how individualism changed the view Greece had on certain issues. (Bulliet 99) From 1000 B. C. E to 30 B. C.
E, Ancient Greece’s view on individualism changed the political system Greece had, over time changed the way individuals thought and made important Intellectual changes, and gradually changed the Economic system such as bartering. The political system of Ancient Greece underwent several changes over the past few decades all tying in with individualism. The biggest change in the political system of Ancient Greece was how they went from a monarchy to an aristocracy around the 6th century B. C. E. , to a democracy. In the Agora stood tall the government buildings where citizens would come together to ratify decisions of leaders.
Soon, this agora would be turned into a marketplace, because traders always come to crowds to sell things. (Bulliet 105) During this time period, a monarchy still ruled over Ancient Greece until they entered the Age of Colonization from 750 to 550 B. C. E. Due to the successful warfare campaigns, Greece produced wealth very quickly and the percentage of middle class people rose. Soon afterward, Greece shifted by a land ruled by nobles to a money-based economy controlled by the middle class which led to an aristocracy led by tyrants (Butler, FC19: The Rise of Greek Democracy (c. 50-500 BCE)). The tyrants who held power illegally were captured and ejected and the political system shifted over to a democratic system. Furthermore, the shift caused by individualism influenced other civilizations around the Mediterranean such as Carthage and Mesopotamia to take on similar political structures. Over time, individualism changed the way one person thought and how the community thought together. In this time period led towards the concept of humanism, which is the valuing of uniqueness, talents, and rights of one person. Marshall) Examples of change due to individualism appear in the change of lyrics in poetry when the lyrics are personal. (Bulliet 108) In the time before the great philosopher Socrates and philosophers before him were referred to as pre-Socrates philosophers. Pre-Socrates philosophers did not want the traditional religious explanations and sought out for rational answers. They were concerned on how the world was created, what it is made of, and why changes occur. (Bulliet 108) An important advancement in science was when pre-Socrates philosophers theorized that the world is made out of atoms.
Because of that one philosopher, the world was able to advance much quicker and that theory is the basis of science. (Bulliet 108) The Economy of Ancient Greece can probably be described as the base of economy for future societies and civilizations. The system that Greece used was the bartering system which is also known as trade. The city-state that was the most important and was the center of trade and commerce was none other than Athens. With the change of democracy and the political system, accumulation of wealth was discouraged and encouraged that the rich contribute their money and services to polis.
The economy of Greece was largely dominated by a middle class of small landholders, merchants, and craftsmen website. (Butler) Athenian products consisted of Olives and Wine. One main product used in Greece was olive oil which was good for cooking and is still used worldwide. Even though Greece in general does not have good soil to cultivate on, planting grapes was good for Attica’s terrain and is the reason why grape products were a huge success in the market. (Bulliet 102) Athens’s port Piraeus grew into an important commercial center in the Med. Sea. (Bulliet 113).
