Abstract
This paper provides an initial description of a political institution, its role and powers, the relationship between the two and any changes that may have taken place. It examines the concept of power and its overall relationship with insitutions and discusses controlled power using as an example the Athenian Ecclesia and Roman Senate. It also looks at theoretical power and influential power using examples of the Boule, the Areopagus and the Princeps.

From the Paper
"Lucius Cornelius Sulla passed a series of leges Corneliae which radically altered the political structure of the Republic. His third law prohibited the Committee of the Tribal People and the Council of the People from considering any law unless it was sent to the assemblies by senatus consultum with a favorable "do pass" recommendation. His fourth law restructured the Centuriate Committee such that the First Class -- the senators and the most powerful knights -- had nearly fifty percent of the voting power. His fifth law stripped both tribal assemblies -- the Committee of the Tribal People and the Council of the People -- of their legislative functions, leaving all legislation in the hands of the restructured Centuriate Committee (the tribal assemblies were left with the election of certain magistrates and the conduct of trials -- but no trials could be held unless authorized by senatus consultum)."

Tags:assembly, augustus, boule, ecclesia, princeps, senate

Abstract
This paper explores whether Cleisthenes of Athens reforms (507/508 BCE) were directly responsible for the disappearance of the aristocracy in Ancient Greece. The author discusses the development of democracy with Pericles reforms.

From the Paper
"Democracy has had a long and complicated history. Traditionally ancient Greece has been seen as the birth place of the western style democracy that many modern nations are currently modeled after. Study of the historical facts however show that the political ..."

Tags:Cleisthenes, aristocracy, democracy, Pericles, Areopagus, Boule, Assembly

Abstract
This paper analyzes Aristotle's ideas about rhetoric. It contrasts Aristotle's perspectives to other theorists and then compares the role of rhetoric and oratory in ancient times to today. Finally, the paper explores the usefulness of rhetoric in our lives today.

Outline
Aristotle's Rhetoric and Other Interpretations
Functions of Rhetoric and Oratory Then and Now
The Usefulness of Rhetoric in Our Roles in Life

From the Paper
"Rhetoric as defined by Aristotle and others holding fast to his rules is the counterpart of Dialectic. Both alike are concerned with such things as come, more or less, within the general ken of all men and belong to no definite science. Accordingly all men make use, more or less, of both; for to a certain extent all men attempt to discuss statements and to maintain them, to defend themselves and to attack others. Ordinary people do this either at random or through practice or from acquired habit. Both ways being possible, the subject can plainly be handled systematically, for it is possible to inquire the reason why some speakers succeed through practice and others spontaneously; and every one will at once agree that such an inquiry is the function of an art."

Tags:oratory, philosophy, ancient, greece, syllogisms, areopagus, dialectic

Abstract
This paper stresses that the missionary must heed the fundamental teachings of Paul as they are set forth in Acts 17, in order to successfully and peacefully deliver the word of God to groups of non-believers. The author stresses that, like Paul, when appealing to those who have yet to receive the teachings of Christ, remember to rely on logic as well as emotion. The paper reveals that Paul?s message two thousand years ago is no different than the missionary's message today: discourage ignorance and foster the acceptance of Christ.

From the Paper
"When Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, he appealed to his audience through both logic and sympathy. He capitalized on their innate religiosity, evident in their numerous shrines and idols. Using this to his advantage, Paul complemented the people on their display of faith and belief but also instructed them that a higher level of truth and understanding was possible. Paul explained that their "unknown God" was the Supreme Being "who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heave and earth", (Acts 17, 24). Furthermore, Paul explains that an omnipotent power simply cannot be limited by the confines of man-made shrines."

Tags:areopagus, teaching, non-believers, logic, acceptance

Abstract
This paper reviews Aeschylus' "Oresteia" in which Aeschylus uses the Agamemnon myth to convey his messages. It examines how Aeschylus' main purpose in the "Oresteia" is not to explore the psychology of his characters but to narrate the story of the House of Atreus, its theological aspects and its relevance to the contemporary political situation. It focuses on Aeschylus' use of the story of the House of Atreus in order to make relevant points about the society he lived in and whether he was successful in doing so. Also discussed is the use of charter myth and gender.

From the Paper
"First of all, the story of the House of Atreus is not only of one generation, but in fact includes the terrible happenings between Atreus and his brother Thyestes, and then the abduction of Helen from Menelaus; these things are implied by Aeschylus in a very circumspect manner but not actually mentioned although they are an integral part of the Atreus curse, they are not necessary to the plot and therefore not included. Aeschylus gets away with this because his play is not original material as such, it is based on a myth widely known throughout his culture, he can safely assume that everyone watching the play will already know the tale and will therefore "fill in the gaps" themselves. This is, of course, a major point; would Aeschylus tell a story for its own merits if he knew that his projected audience was already aware of the outcome of the tale?"

Tags:aeigisthus, agamemnon, areopagus, athens, clytemnestra, delian, electra, eumenides, gods, menelaus, thyestes, troy