Democracy idealised: Thucydides, Aeschylus, Euripides

Introduction: Why Idealise Democracy?

In this chapter, we explore how the Athenians viewed their own political system when they were at their most confident. While we often hear about the problems with politics today, three famous writers—Aeschylus, Euripides, and Thucydides—provide us with a "best-case scenario" of Athenian democracy. They describe a system where the law is king, every citizen has a voice, and the city serves as a shining example to the rest of the world.

Don't worry if these names or texts feel a bit heavy at first! We are essentially looking at the "marketing brochure" for ancient Athens. By the end of these notes, you’ll understand the key arguments used to prove that democracy was the best way to live.

1. Aeschylus: The Foundation of Justice

Source: Eumenides, lines 674–710.

Aeschylus was a famous playwright of tragedies. In his play Eumenides, he tells the story of how the goddess Athena established the Areopagus (a famous high court in Athens). Although this is a play about gods and myths, it carries a very strong political message for the audience in the 5th century BC.

Key Ideas from Aeschylus:

• The Rule of Law: Athena sets up a court of human judges to replace the old system of "blood feuds" (where families just kept killing each other for revenge). This shows that democracy is based on impartial justice rather than personal anger.
• The "Middle Way": Athena warns the citizens to avoid two extremes: anarchy (no rules at all) and tyranny (one person having all the power). A healthy democracy sits right in the middle.
• Respect for Authority: The text suggests that if citizens have a healthy "awe" or respect for the law, the city will remain safe and stable.

Quick Review: For Aeschylus, democracy is "ideal" because it replaces violence with orderly courts and balances freedom with lawfulness.

2. Euripides: The Debate on Equality

Source: Suppliants, lines 399–456.

Euripides was another great tragic playwright. In his play Suppliants, he includes a famous debate between a Herald (who represents a King/Tyrant) and Theseus (the legendary King of Athens, who Euripides portrays as a champion of democracy).

Theseus’ Arguments for Democracy:

• Written Laws: Theseus argues that when laws are written down, they protect the weak from the strong. In a monarchy, the King can change his mind on a whim; in a democracy, the law is the same for everyone.
• Freedom of Speech (Isegoria): Theseus asks the famous question: "Who has good advice to give the city?" In Athens, any citizen—rich or poor—could stand up and speak. This is a core democratic ideal.
• Equality (Isonomia): The idea that the poor man and the rich man have the same "legal weight." The rich cannot simply bully the poor because the system protects everyone equally.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Students often think Theseus was a real democratic leader. Remember, he was a mythical King, but Euripides uses him as a "mouthpiece" to brag about how great 5th-century Athenian values were!

Key Takeaway: Euripides focuses on legal equality and the power of the written word to prevent bullying by the elite.

3. Thucydides: The Perfect Citizen

Source: The Peloponnesian War, 2.36–42 (The Funeral Oration) and 2.65.

Thucydides was a historian who recorded a famous speech given by the politician Pericles. This speech, known as the Funeral Oration, was intended to honour soldiers who died in war, but it became the ultimate "praise song" for Athens.

Pericles’ Vision of the Ideal Democracy:

• The "School of Hellas": Pericles claims that Athens is an example to others. They don't copy their neighbours (like the Spartans); their neighbours copy them!
• Meritocracy: In Athens, you aren't successful just because your parents were rich. If you have talent, you can serve the state. Poverty is not a barrier to political power.
• The Balanced Life: Pericles argues that Athenians are unique because they can enjoy private pleasures (like beautiful homes and festivals) while still being fiercely loyal to the city.
• The "Useless" Citizen: Pericles famously says that an Athenian who takes no interest in politics isn't just "mindng his own business"—he is considered useless. In an ideal democracy, everyone must participate.

Pericles as the Ideal Leader (2.65):

Thucydides also describes Pericles himself as the perfect democratic leader. He was someone who could lead the people without being controlled by them. He told them the truth, even when it was unpopular, which kept the democracy stable.

Memory Aid: Think of Pericles' Athens as a "Triple-M" city: Model for others, Merit-based, and Mindful of public duty.

Summary Comparison Table

Use this table to help you remember which author focused on which "ideal" aspect of democracy:

Final Tips for the Exam

• Context is King: If you get a stimulus passage from Thucydides, remember it was a speech meant to boost morale during a war. This explains why it is so "idealised" and positive!
• Link to History: You can briefly mention that these ideas grew out of the Reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes (covered in another chapter), which laid the groundwork for this "ideal" equality.
• Don't Forget the Opposite: While these writers praise democracy, keep in mind that others (like Plato or the "Old Oligarch") had very different, much more negative views. These notes cover only the idealised side!

Key Takeaway: Democracy was idealised as a system that provided justice (Aeschylus), equality (Euripides), and cultural excellence (Thucydides).