Countries created sets of rules to regulate their inhabitants’ actions. The democracy is one of the basic political systems that existed for centuries. The word means “rule of the people”. It evolved in different forms during this period. The same situation was with the citizenship. Living conditions depended up the country and time.
ANCIENT GREECE
“Ancient Greek civilization claims the distinction of developing the first democracy in a country” (“The Legacy” 1). In the largest Greece city-state Athens citizens could take part in governing and decision making. This right was granted only for adult (18 years and older) free males whose parents also were free Athenian people. Around 600 B. C. poor farmers could lose their citizenship because they sold themselves into slavery to pay debts. In 594 B. C. Solon prohibited this practice and created four classes of citizenship based on people’s wealth. Each class had right to vote, but only members of first three groups could hold public office. Decisions were made by assemblies. They were reorganized by Cleisthenes to create better balance between rich and poor. The ruler also “increased the power of the assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debate and passage” (“The Legacy” 3).
Greece political system evolved into the direct democracy during the rule of Pericles. “This is a form of government in which citizens rule and make laws directly rather than through representatives” (“The Legacy” 3).
ANCIENT ROME
Rome became a republic around 600 B. C. This is an indirect form of democracy, where citizens choose leaders who will make governmental decisions. Both Greece and Ancient Rome had separated branches of government. Government and army were controlled by two councils. People chose them every year. The legislative branch consisted of senate and two assemblies. The first was for patricians, and last two included other classes of citizens.
Citizenship in the Ancient Rome was granted only to adult free-born males. The most part of population consisted of plebeians. These citizens had right to vote, but could not hold most important positions in the government. “In times of crisis, the republic also provided for a dictator, a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army” (“The Legacy” 6). The ruler had ultimate power, but could use it only for six months.
RENAISSANCE ITALY
Italy was divided into city-states during the Renaissance. They had different types of government. Big city-states, like Venice, Florence or Milan, were republics. In many other cities governmental positions also were elected, not inherited. Government actions were mostly influenced by wealthy families, not ordinary people. For example, Venice was governed by the Great Council consisted of members of the most influential families. This institution elected a Senate of 200 to 300 individuals, which could choose the Counsil of Ten. One person from the Great Council became a “doge” who ruled for life, but had limited power.
Citizenship still gave political rights, but many people wanted to gain it for other benefits. The status gave different opportunities depending up the city. “Individuals in the cities saw citizenship as a device which could offer them privileges with which to overcome the difficulties they faced” (Critchley 6). For example, the status gave person the guardianship of life and property. The way of getting citizenship also changed. In the Ancient Greece foreign person can not become a citizen. Italian laws during the Renaissance gave this opportunity to immigrants, merchants and other people if they could make a contribution to city’s development. Lawyers and other officials made decisions about person’s status, rights and responsibilities.
Works Cited
“The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome”. Historywithmrgreen.com. n. d. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://historywithmrgreen.com/page2/assets/Legacy%20of%20Ancient%20Greece%20and%20Rome%20Reading.pdf>
Critchley, Peter. Citizenship in the Renaissance. Word Document.
