Greek Civilization: Arête, Eunomia, And Hellenization

Greek civilization is a foundation for many societies today due to its established government and influential culture. There were many accomplishments that translate to the development of Greece, but historians would make a strong case to say that Arête, Eunomia, and Hellenization are three of the most influential forces that participate in the taming of Greece.
Arête can be viewed as a captivating quality that can light a fire of patriotism under the hearts of many, while hubris can destroy the reputation of a person and destroy the determination of a rising power. As seen in the Iliad, Arête is the main social value of Greek life and is the first spark of allegiance for a civilization that is only beginning. In the Iliad, the rage of Achilles
As seen in the Classical Age (500-323 BC), constant reformations and laws with each new leader in place created groundwork for the democracy we know today. The reformations towards the government truly began with Solon the Athenian, who placed the first stepping stones of democracy in 594 BC. Solon leveled the debt amongst the people and essentially started the official ranking of the Athenians according to wealth. With this, he created a new social hierarchy along with laws giving more people an opportunity for citizenship and justice within their community. After the death of Solon the Athenian, Cleisthenes enriched form of government by establishing a district-style system with demoi, phylae, and strategoi. Demoi would translate to districts or counties within a state, phylae were “tribes” or a form of administrative divisions, and strategoi were a General-style officer whom was elected annually as the highest civil and military authority. These power-hungry leaders that helped form this government created an environment that had not yet been introduced to the world. Consequently, with the ability of any man to levy charges against another citizen and the election of the five-hundred representatives to truly represent the population, democracy was being born whether the Greeks had planned it or not. In Thucydides’ On Justice, Power, and Human Nature, the prominence of Athens during a time of war on freedom created the ability of public forums and open debates where everyone was entitled to state their own opinion rather than spending their time trying to be heard. Ultimately, these reformations and changes created a government that helped Athens become a place of revolution as well as a powerhouse of freedom during a time where power-hungry leaders ruled the surrounding