CLA 233 - Justice in a Pure Democracy: Searching for Equal Rights in Ancient Athens

This course will explore how the Athenian community changed over time as it became more democratic.  How “pure” was Athenian democracy, really?  How did the Athenians define who got which rights and responsibilities?  How did their judicial system work?  What role did religion play?  What criticisms did Athenian democracy face?  How did the Athenians respond to attempts to overthrow the democracy?  Readings will include Homer, Aeschylus, Thucydides, and Plato, as well as Aristotle’s history of the Athenian constitution and surviving speeches from legal disputes ranging from homicide to prostitution, inheritance to property rights.

Provides elective credit in the Classical Studies and Classical Languages & Literature major.
Counts as a 300-level course and fulfills the pre-modern requirement in the History major.
Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Students at all levels welcome. (Not offered in 2019-2020)