Abstract
This paper gives a history of how Athens, originally looking for a united front against the invading Persian armies during the Persian Wars in antiquity, grew from an influential city-state to one of the world's first empires, stretching its power base across the entire Aegean sea. The paper begins by discussing how the Delian League, the pretext to what would become the Athenian Empire, came into being as a direct way to combat the invading Persians. The alliance was created out of necessity, as a united Greek front would be the only way to repel the massive Persian army under King Xerxes. A brief history of the Persian Wars is given, with Persia's invasion of Northern Greece and the burning of the Acropolis in Athens, but eventually their defeat at the hands of the Athenian general Cimon at the mouth of the Eurymedon River. After Persia was defeated and their troops driven back to Asia, Athens was firmly set as the predominant military and economic leader of all of Greece. The Delian League that was organized to fight against the Persians soon evolved into an Athenian Empire, with Athens collecting tribute and taxes from other city-states in exchange for protection and economic stability. Athens used their power to create a more safe and secure Greece, but was eventually corrupted by greedy politicians who abused other Greek city-states to the point of war. The second half of the paper goes into detail over how Athens was justified to create an empire, as it brought about prosperity for all involved. This includes the destruction of piracy and the opening up with trade routes to eastern Turkey. Ancient sources are heavily quoted to reinforce the argument that having a single dominant polis inevitably stabilized the once troubled area of Ancient Greece. This section also deals with Athens feeling morally obligated to spread their particular form of democracy to all of the other city-states, and their desire to see Sparta have their power limited. This ancient Cold War would eventually boil over into the Peloponnesian War, and the result ended in a weakened Greece that would not rise to prosperity again until Alexander The Great unified Greece.

From the Paper
"During the expansion of Athenian power, an economic concept developed that allowed a particular polis to form an economic alliance with a fellow Delian League member. This agreement would allow the two states to work together in transporting particular goods through their territories to a marketplace where the goods would be sold, and the profit generated from the selling of the goods would be evenly distributed between the two Greek states. Such an example of this economic unity can be seen in agreement between Athens and the polis of Phaselis, which held joint control over certain economic endeavors and even adopted the same coinage for a short span of history. Athens also made it clear that if the city-states were to live under the protection of Athens, then the economic system should be standardized."

Tags:xerxes, Thucydides, Samos

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the great civilization of Hellas prided itself in cultural works that led to achieving the reputation of being the birthplace of Western civilization. The Greeks had much to be proud about: their democratic way of life that stressed the importance of the individual, creative and innovative thinking, economic expansion, scientific accomplishments, promotion of the arts, and military strength. The writer discusses that Athens, in all her glory, held tight to these beliefs and developed confidence that the Athenian strength would prevail over enemies that attempted to bring down this great society. The writer also discusses that a key question raised in Thucydides is how did the Hellenic war happen and how did Athens lose the war? The writer concludes that greed and conceit overcame the common sense of Athens leadership and this contributed to her downfall.

From the Paper
" Is Athens acting self-interest or common good for the Hellas world to protect them from attack again? The war effected Athens in many ways. The war effected Dunamis laws, moral character and humanity of the polis. Athens conflict from Dunamis brought on its own destruction. After the war the nature of Athens was broken and the city never regained the power in had before the war. The writer sees strong parallels between today's war in Iraq and the war in Peloponnesus. Just as Athens, the United States sees it self as the world's police force and unfortunately the United States may fall fate to what happen to Athens."

Tags:Thucydides, Hellas, The, Greeks, Athenian, strength

Abstract
This paper provides a historical account of the ancient Greek city-state of Athens. Its development from being a minor city in the small section of Greece known as Attica, to becoming one of the most important cities in the world, is portrayed. The paper examines the contributions made by Ancient Athens to modern society and government. Athens' success in the Persian wars is outlined. The paper illustrates the city flourishing into an empire and analyzes her subsequent downfall in the Peloponnesian wars.

Introduction
Early Period
The Persian Wars
The Golden Age
The Peloponnesian Wars
Aftermath
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper
"The city-state of Athens was settled by the Ionian Greeks and was mentioned in the Iliad. It was however, a minor city. About 700 B.C., it started to become more important as it became a key trading center. A rudimentary democracy was also taking hold. Athens was the leading combatant in the Persian Wars, after which she formed an alliance that grew into a maritime empire. During this period, Greece in general and Athens in particular, enjoyed a golden age. Eventually, Athens' growing power brought it into conflict with Sparta, the other dominant city-state. The result was a series of wars known as the Peloponnesian Wars, which ruined Athens and led to her decline as a major power. Later, the city was dominated by Macedonia and then incorporated into the Roman province of Greece. But, for a time, Athens was one of the most important cities in the world and was the originator of many of our current concepts of government."

Tags:attica, sparta, thebes, macedonia, peloponnesian

Abstract
The paper discusses the limited rights of women in archaic Athens regarding ownership of property. The paper looks at Frederick Engels belief that women's oppression was an unnatural consequence of property relations and was essential for the survival and the privileges of men. The paper therefore shows how Engels' theory on the oppression of women confirms the formal and legal position of women in archaic and classical Athens.

From the Paper
"Law in ancient Athens forbade a woman from engaging in business transactions with money value in excess of five or six days' food for her family (Thompson 2005). Buying anything beyond that required the approval of a male guardian. Ownership of property was likewise complicated and frustrating to her. She might have owned and used a slave, clothing, furniture and jewelry every day but she could not sell or give any of them. She might have claim over land but had no right either to use or sell it. Her rights over property did not mean or include ownership (Thompson)."

Tags:economic, production, biological, reproduction, monogamy

Abstract
This paper discusses how, with the pressures of growth, Athens has made some unfortunate development decisions that have altered the landscape of the historic city. Ultimately, the pressures of residential development, economic growth and the 2004 Olympics have forced Athens to engage in a losing battle over the past century to preserve its historic and cultural beauty.This paper asserts that the city will need to make difficult planning and aesthetic decisions in order to reverse this course.

Outline:
Introduction
Residential development
Economic development
Impact of the 2004 Olympics
Conclusion: Lingering Problems and Solutions
Residential development
Economic development

From the Paper
"While the polykatoikias did their part to alter for the worse the post-war Athenian skyline, there were many buildings constructed to facilitate Greek economic development that had the same effect. In truth, it is impossible to separate the polykatoikias from Greek economic development, because they were a big part of Greek industry in the decades immediately following the end of World War II. The polykatoikias were constructed by private enterprises, contractors who were receiving free land in return for constructing the buildings. But there were certainly many buildings constructed during the middle and latter portions of the 20th century that significantly modified the look and feel of Athens."

Tags:decisions, reversal, solutions, development, historic, pressures

Abstract
The paper relates that around the 9th century, Athens began to emerge as a Greek city state although it was a poor city, built on undesirable land. It became the city of the world's first democracy, and produced fine art and architecture in unprecedented numbers, and became the center of philosophy and literature. The paper describes the Delian League, which was a confederacy of cities designed to protect themselves from Persian attack. The paper explains that the Delian League began as an ancient version of NATO and matured into the Athenian Empire. After some thirty years of war, however, the Athenian Empire was defeated and although it founded a second empire, Athens would never recover the full extent of her power.

From the Paper
"In the beginning, the Delian League was a rather loose coalition of states, each independent and each sharing a common interest with the others (Ash 2000). There were numerous members of the league, including "Chios, Lesbos, Plataea, most of Acarnania, Ionia, the Hellespont, Thrace, and the islands between the Peloponnese and Crete towards the East, and all the Cyclades except for Melos and There, as well as Aegina and most of the Euboean cities" (Ash 2000). Combined, these states created a formidable force capable of achieving its objectives (Ash 2000)."

Tags:Parthenon, Persia, Greece, empire

Abstract
This paper compares the situation of women in Sparta and Athens and explains that they come from opposite cultures. Sparta women were free citizens and held the same privileges as the men. Athenian women were considered property and virtually no rights at all. It points out that Spartan women trained in athletics like men, while Athenian women were forbidden from even attending athletic competitions as spectators.

From the Paper
"This differed greatly from Athenian women who rarely even left the confides of the women's quarters. Women in Athens were servants to their men. Their duties were "to produce children for the oikos, and to guarantee its integrity by cooking, weaving, childrearing, and the supervision of the household goods" (Foley, Helen. Refelctions of Women in Antiquity. Gordon and Breach: New York, 1984. P. 150). Aristocratic Women in Athens were forbidden from even doing shopping. This was the duty of the men. In fact, Athenian women hardly ever left the house. To the Athenian mind, "Spartan women served as the "Other" vis-a-vis Athenian women. For example Spartan women spent their time out-of-doors and spoke freely to men; Athenians ideally stayed indoors and scarcely spoke to their husband" (Fantham, Foley, Kampen, Pmeroy, and Shapiro, Women in the Classical World, P.63)."

Tags:citizen, sport, culture, greek

Abstract
This paper discusses the ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta in terms of their respective origins, political structures, and societies. The basic similarities and differences between them are analyzed, and conclusions are drawn from the facts ascertained.

Abstract
This paper will discuss why Solon left Athens and chose not to be a tyrant. Homer's use of the Iliad will be a device to emphasize a comparison for the reasons of his departure. Achilles and his code of honor will be used as an example, as well as Agamemnon's theories of rule that Solon so much opposed to reveal why this great lawmaker left is home country and chose not to become a tyrant in his cultures traditions. The cultural conditions and other factors will be contributed to this essay to better reveal the sources o Solon and his departure from his home country.

Abstract
This paper explores Athens in the Fifth Century, B.C. and the advantages and disadvantages the city-state then faced.