possessed political power. In particular, in Sparta, the most important political figures were: the two kings, coming from two different families (Le Agiadi and the Erypontidi), the Ephors, the Gerousia and the popular assembly. The two kings, unlike what is generally thought, didn't have much influence, and were flanked by the Ephors in the performance of executive functions. The Ephors, were five magistrates, elected by the people, who remained in office for a year. The Ephors had been created to
the reasons behind the Athenians beliefs that were at par with the Spartans, hence allowing them to flourish. While most credit the second installment of the Persian wars with the birth of the Athenian renaissance, one could argue that Marathon was the catalyst for, and much of the reason behind, the Athenians’ belief that they were on par with the Spartans — which allowed them to flourish (Ctesias n.p). Had Marathon been a defeat and Athens annihilated, the Western democracy, culture, art and philosophy
Manin, (1997)74 in his work “The Principles of Representative Government" discusses the thoughts of Rousseau and examines the complex relationship that exists between the ideal of democracy and the representative government. He discusses at length the western political thought starting from the Athenian Democracy and the various political practices that existed in the western world. The result of this study is a deep and thoughtful exploration of the relationship that existed between the democratic
Ancient Greek literature offers us a variety of instances. Bowden in his book about divination and democracy in classical Athens, states that divination in the field of politics was of major importance «for its ability (at least in theory) to oppose authority, and to serve as a resistance mechanism, hence ensuring that leaders are not seen to act entirely on their own initiative over matters where