Fellow Athenians,

I stand before you today as a humble Fishmonger. I have no more property than a stall in Piraeus. I have no great fortune to my name. I did not sit in the Agora and debate with philosophers. Even my war record offers me no more honor than the honor of having served my city. But, I do have one thing of merit: my citizenship and all the honors which it bestows on me. Many of us have lost our property in these terrible times. Few of us managed to maintain great fortunes after Sparta blockaded us last year. In dark times like these, who had time to discuss the unfathomable when our greatest concern was where our next meal would come from? Some would claim that honor was given or taken in these terrible times. But, praise be to the gods, we all have one great prize: our citizenship. Our heritage. My ancestors, like yours, fought the Amazons with Theseus and the Persians with Themistocles. We were raised according to our ancestors' teachings, and brought up treasuring Athenian culture and values. We will raise our children according to these as well. I implore you all to consider your heritage.

Some would tell me that I should sit mute in regards to the running of my city because I am not wealthy or not educated. Still others would tell me that my voice should struggle to be heard over the babble of foreign tongues that we would delude ourselves into calling "Greek" because at one time some foreign men stood for our city or because their wealth translates into many tongues. I ask you to consider that wealth and education can be improved, and until it is, who better could speak for the poor and ignorant than those who suffer form those maladies? Should the poor and starving be ignored? Consider also that money, knowledge, and honor are as fleeting as a sea breeze, - remember how once proud Oedipus lost all in one horrible day- but one's heritage can never be taken away, nor can its honors be given to those who never possessed it.

Think not of today. Think not of yesterday. Today you may be wealthy and yesterday you had friends, but think of tomorrow. Tomorrow your property can be snatched away from you and your friends could be found fleeing in times of peril. So much can change in a single day-with a single vote. Do not underestimate the strength of my voice. Stand beside me, not as Oligarchs and Democrats and Socratics, but as Athenians. Stand for the legacy that Athens was and will be again. Stand for the voices of all true Athenians.

-Fishmonger

Paper #1
February 1, 2007
Good men of Athens, I must commend you on the overwhelming majority vote to pass the Reconciliation Agreement. You showed wisdom in your decision and I am certain that justice prevailed in this instance because what was best for Athens was done. However, questions concerning Athens very near future still remain. How will we rebuild? Where shall we start? But most importantly we have not yet made any decisions regarding the body that will govern Athens. It is for that very purpose I speak to you now in order to offer a proposal with the hopes of restoring Athens to its previous glory.
I would argue that we all agree on the fact that we want what is best for Athens. But I have also seen that we as individuals have been blessed with different talents and abilities. I feel that combining all of our different talents and working towards the common goal of a strong more prosperous Athens gives us the greatest chance of success. We all will serve Athens best by performing our skill at a high level of excellence. The backbone of this country is the shoemakers who make flawless shoes, the metal workers who have perfected their trade, and the farmers who bring in a bountiful harvest, just to name a few. It is the hard work of your hands that make this country flourish in the past and it is you that will build her back up again. I applaud you for all of your tireless effort. You should be given the space needed to prosper and thrive at your own will. In order for you to have the most success you need to focus your time and energy solely on your trade. You shouldn’t be bothered with other things, things that will not aide you in the accomplishment of your purpose. I believe that you should be free to work as hard and as long as you like in order for you to be as successful as you wish.
In order to make this possible for you, the most logical thing to do would be to relieve you of all governing duties. Attempting to govern a country and master your trade will mean that you will lack in both areas. Neither areas are ones that you can afford to be lacking in. Both are far too important. Therefore in the best interest of all involved I propose that the working class be allowed to focus solely on being successful in their respective trade. Also it would be impossible for any man of trade to be unbiased in the government proceedings because he will always have something to gain or loose with every decision.
Those who should rule Athens should be selected based on very strict criteria. They will be men of the highest moral standard and those who value justice above all. It is imperative that these men be educated in philosophy so that they will be well acquainted with the seeking and implementing of truth. The ultimate goal of the ruling class would be to do what is best for Athens and never what is best for simply one person.
In order to maintain the highest level of impartial thinking the ruling class will not be allowed to own property. Their needs will be fulfilled by the polis. This will be done so that the rulers will have no stake in the decisions that must be made and they will be able to rule justly at all times. And this will insure that there will be nothing to tempt them away from the just decision.
My hope is to lead Athens in the direction of justice and truth; for there is nothing greater in this world. The heart of my proposal for Athens’s governing body is justice. I feel that this design will allow justice to flow throughout all the aspects of our great country and throughout our lives.

Fellow Athenians. I welcome you all to assembly today, I see that the gods have granted you favor by being present at assembly today. For what could be more important than helping to shape our great state. I come here today not to divide Athens, but to protect it and do what is best for our fair city. With that in mind I ask you to consider what brought about the horrors in our past, horrors which we have just now started to recover from. It was the leadership of our city that brought about it's downfall. I am sure you will agree with me when I say that not just anyone is fit or capable of leading Athens. Leadership of a city is not something to be taken lightly, it requires a strong person who is committed to doing what is best for the city, even if that something is not good for them, or is unpopular. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to withstand that kind of pressure, and come through to the other side of it still standing by all of the decisions that they have made. One who is going to lead our city should have been well educated and show intellectual merit, they should also be committed to doing what is best for the city, even if it means sacrificing their own life.

Do not think, fellow citizens that I am saying that there are only a few citizens, or one person that should rule our city forever. I too remember the hard times that we all suffered through, and are still recovering from. While one needs to have merit to lead our great city they should not have all of the power that they want. I feel that our current system of selecting those positions for a short while by lot is successful in ensuring that no one party or person gains too much power. I feel that if we simply limited the pool of names in the drawing to those that had merit then we would be able to run our city more effectively. After all does a simple shoemaker understand all of the proceedings and policies that are required to govern our state. While they are extremely successful at making shoes they would not necessarily be as successful in a position of leadership in our assembly. This is not to say that all shoemakers would be ineffective leaders, simply that not all people are suited to leading the assembly.

We have tried many different ways of selecting leaders in the past. They have not succeed. Instead of simply selecting leaders by random lot, I think that our leaders should be chosen based on their merit. For would you not chose the best builder for the construction of your home, or the best warrior to lead your troops and defend your home. Why would you not chose the best leaders to shape the great city that you call home? I therefore propose that we limit who is able to receive a position of leadership to those that have merit.

Proposal

1. Create a leadership Lottery

   1. positions of leadership include: president of assembly, heralds, archons

   2. comprised of men, in assembly, who have shown leadership skills and merit a position of leadership

   3. No limit on number of men included

   4. If elected person serves for life

      1. Man will be expelled if found guilty of ANY crime against the state.

2. Immediate Inclusion

   1. to be performed immediately after proposal passes

   2. Submit name and reason for inclusion in 50 words or less

   3. President will read names and reasons

   4. Decided by majority vote

3. Nomination for inclusion in Lottery

   1. to be used to include others in lottery after the initial inclusion

   2. Anyone in the assembly can nominate

   3. nominator gives reasons for inclusion

   4. Decided by majority vote

4. Distribution of Positions

   1. positions will be chosen by lot, as before

   2. lot will be conducted from only those in the Leadership Lottery

Hey, Everyone-
Just to second Tasha (aka The Middling Farmer), it would be really helpful if everyone could post their e-mail addresses on their profiles. Thanks!

-Julianna

Disclaimer: this is not my paper. I'm only posting this here because not enough people put their email address on their profile.

Hello my fellow Athenians,

The first of many proceedings shed light on some possibly immanent issues. First, I would like to know your views on the impoverished farmer's amendment of returning land to who it belonged to before the event that caused recent heated discussion. Are you for or against it? Either way, why?

Second, I would like to address possible issues. As it stands, I am unsure how I would vote on many issues, and I would like to have a full understanding of the matter. If land restoration is not going to be central to your discussion at the next proceeding, what are the top two you feel need to be addressed? I would also appreciate knowing why, therefore I could possibly see the reasoning behind your opinion.

Your Middling Farmer,

Tasha

I would truly appreciate your input. Please respond to tsa.k.hauchan@gmail.com

YOUR PAPERS

Here are a few guidelines that may assist you as you prepare your paper for Thursday. (Keep in mind, however, that these are only suggested guidelines: you are free to design and write a paper in whatever way your feel best supports your cause.) First of all, your paper should be 2-3 pages long, but if you need to go over that amount, you are welcome to do so. My recommendation with regard to the form of your paper is that you put it into a speech-type format, beginning with an address (“Fellow Athenians”), an introduction, then a statement of your position, your argument/s for your position, and ending with a conclusion that summarizes what your main point/s have been. The following are the grading criteria that I will use to evaluate your papers:

1. Persuasiveness of your paper (most heavily weighted). You should remember above all that you are attempting in this and every paper that you write to persuade others of a particular position that you favor. According to Aristotle, Greek orators used three main forms of appeal in their attempts to persuade their audiences. First, they used appeals to reason; that is, they attempted to present logically persuasive arguments for the positions that they favored. Second, they used appeals to emotion; that is, they attempted to manipulate their hearers by summoning their emotions through appeals to deeply felt prejudices. Third, they attempted to persuade others by appeals based on their own character: that is, a Greek orator would attempt to present himself (as he delivered his speech) as an eminently reasonable and fair individual who had in mind only the best interests of his audience. Minimally, your paper must make use of an appeal to reason: it should have a position and solid arguments for that position. Feel free to make use of the other modes of persuasion as well, however.

2. Historical and ideological accuracy or plausibility of your paper. Your paper must be historically accurate or plausible, and it must reflect the particular ideological background that your character is supposed to have. A simple way to put this is just to say, “Know what you are talking about!” In order to do that, you must research your topic as thoroughly as possible before you sit down to write on your position. If you are not sure about something, don’t write on it.

3. Creativity exhibited in your paper. Your paper should reveal that you have creatively constructed a character for yourself and that you have worked hard in imagining how he would think about his world and the issues that are brought up in the assembly.

Again, I want to stress that the most important part of your paper is that it contain a position and arguments in support of this position. I am not asking for a five-paragraph essay (by Hera, please don’t give me a stack of those!); the form is up to you. Just make sure that you are arguing for a position.

On a side note, I would like to let you know that it will take me a little longer to return these papers than I would like, because sometime over the next few days my wife will be giving birth to our second child. I’m sure you Athenian males will understand my need for extra time with my new son, time I need for telling him in private of the crimes and evil ways of hoi triakonta!

Eric

Herald's Notes:
Assembly One --- Game Time: 01/30/07
Great Zeus, king over all things, Gray-Eyed Athena, patron goddess of our city, and Lord Poseidon, on whose terrain our fortunes have waxed and waned, we offer you this sacrifice so that you may look upon these proceeding with favor and guide us according to your will.
-The Fishmonger.

Gamemaster's Note: Post papers as a new post and not as comments so that they will be easier to find. Also, print you papers in hard copy so that Eric can read/grade them.

Reconciliation
*President presiding: David Dennard
-Our esteemed president opened the proceedings with a speech extoling his beliefs, and those of his fellow Oligarchs, on how he felt the Thirty Oligarchs (some may say Tyrants, but henceforth I shall not address them as such, in reverance to the newly passed law written below), and proclaimed that those seeking blood and vengance put our fair city at risk for a greater tyranny than seen before. In this speech, he proposed reconciliation.
-The renowned Thrasybulus of the more 'Radical' Democrats stood before us and told of his time fighting those who ruled after we were defeated by Sparta. He stood (in spirit) with Pericles in lauding democracy and the former glory of Athens - which he hopes to restore. He called for vengance against those who wronged him and his followers, rebuilding the long walls, and giving highly-prized citizenship to metics who fought at his side. He and his followers called for the Thirty Oligarchs to be put on trial.
-Our ever-studious Socratic members suggested that we put asside our differences and start anew, feeling that excessive aggression to our enemies could lead to further decay in our city. They stood in support of reconciliation.
-The more 'Moderate' Democrats called for unity and greater political involvement amongst our citizens. They supported reconciliation.
-The eloquent Middling Farmer (Tasha Hauke) spoke in support of reconciliation as well, believing that further heated discussion on the matter would incite civil war of sorts.
-I, the humble Fishmonger, spoke on how I did not see the Athens during the rule of the Thirty, but how I sincerely hoped for our great city to return to it's former glory. I supported Reconciliation.

-The Moderate Democrats proposed a law which would prohibit the filing of suits against those involved with the Thirty and speaking (amended to speaking in public) of the Thirty, the violation of which would result in fines and/or require service rebuilding Athens (amended to the Long Walls).
This proposal incited great discussion amongst our assembly. Our Radical Democrats firmly believed that the Thirty must be punished, or at least be discussed in order to educate our youths to prevent our city from being ruled as it was when we were defeated by Sparta. In responce to the hope for trial, many of our members pointed out that the Thirty did not work on their own, and it would be difficult to track down, try, and charge any who may have assisted them. There was a great deal of discussion regarding whether the Thirty were guilty on their own.

-During this discussion, the Radical Democrats proposed to put the Thirty on trial (later prohibited by the Gamemaster).

-An amendment to the Moderate Democrat's proposal was suggested by the Midling Farmer striking the clause prohibiting speaking in public about the Thirty.
The Impoverished Farmer surprised us all by speaking up and proposing that all land seized during the reign of the Thirty be restored to its original owners. It was later proposed that the assembly address that matter at a later time.

We then proceeded to vote.
The laws which passed:

1) It is prohibited to raise suit against parties involved with the Thirty. Public mention of the Thirty Tyrants* is prohibited. The above mentioned crimes are punishable by fines of 200 drachma or labor on the Long Walls. -Julianna Peterson (8/5)

*So writen on the law- not the Herald's word.

4) Property ownership is to be restored to whom it belonged to before the rule of the Thirty. -Impoverished Farmer (Drew Lasater). (8/5)

5) The proposal mentioned above (4) will be addressed at a later date. -Bryan Partridge (Overwhelming majority)

These were the proceedings as recorded by the Herald of the day, the Fishmonger (Emily Allen).

Fellow Athenians, as we begin our first Assembly session we request that you look back and consider the source of these troubled years that have hopefully now come to pass. Was not democracy the start of our troubles? Democracy led by the uneducated masses and their desires? Because we Athenians followed our desires and sought only personal gain we voted to abuse our relationship with the Delian League whose purpose was to provide protection from the Persians. Because of our greed and lust for power we, Athenians, exploited that relationship. We allowed ourselves to be persuaded by our appetites prompting Sparta’s fear of an impending Athenian Empire led by the every whim and wish of the mob. Sparta’s fear caused them to lead a military expedition against Athens leading to the Peloponnesian War and the institution of the 30 Tyrants. To once again allow ourselves to be governed by the uneducated masses would mean that we are ignoring our history and dishonoring those who fought for a better Athens from Theseus to our own fathers, as well as to the Gods who have given us a second chance. Let us learn from our history, our mistakes and triumphs, not repeat it, which will surely happen if the fate of our beloved Athens is placed within the hands of uneducated rulers who know nothing of the love of wisdom. Let us forgive the debts of our countrymen and let us unite together in the pursuit of a common goal: a stronger more prosperous Athens with justice as its foundation. The lesson we can learn from these past years of turmoil and strife is the key to ensuring a triumphant, prosperous, and just future for the great city of Athens. We must call for establishment of an educated ruling group of people who shun personal monetary and social gain and seek only to establish and uphold justice…

ATHENS ROLES

Radical democrats: Kainien Morel

Christine Stuckey

Melissa Williams


Moderate democrats: John Nelson

Julianna Peterson


Oligarchs: David Dennard

Marie Carroll

Shannon Carroll


Socratics: Brandon Owens

Katie Putnam


Indeterminates: Emily Allen

Tasha Hauke

Nick Peterson

Drew Lasater

Ascen Saenz

Kathrin Stanger-Hall

ATHENS OFFICIALS

President #1 David Dennard Herald #1 Emily Allen

President #2 John Nelson Herald #2 Brandon Owens

President #3 Shannon Carroll Herald #3 Christine Stuckey

President #4 Melissa Williams Herald #4 Katie Putnam

President #5 Marie Carroll Herald #5 Kainien Morel

President #6 Julianna Peterson Herald #6 Tasha Hauke


Archon (eponymous) Christine Stuckey

Polemarch Nick Peterson

Archon basileus Melissa Williams

Indeterminates, please email me at everhine@uga.edu so that I can have your email addresses. I'd like to be able to email you privately if I have any ideas or suggestions for you.

Eric

Republic

Just wanted to say again that all of you did well with your presentations today. That was a tough assignment, but, again, it's aim was just to get you thinking about how the Greeks thought about government. Remember, if Socrates' criticisms seem strange, that's because for him, one central goal of instituting a form of government is to produce good (that is, morally good) human beings. The goal for Socrates is not to provide a form of government that simply allows people to do what they want; rather, its goal is to help, one might say force, people to become better human beings.

This view, however, is NOT representative, except for the Socratic faction. The other factions will have different ideas about what the purpose of Athenian government is or should be, views that you will have to figure out as you learn more about ancient Greece and develop your characters.

I should stress again that the overview we did of the Republic was FAR from adequate. For those of you who are lucky enough to become Socratics, you especially will need to know the text better. If you ever want to discuss the text at greater depth (even as a faction) please let me know. I'd be glad to help you, and so would, I'm sure, your preceptor.

Eric

Link to course webpage

http://www.classics.uga.edu/courses/clas2110/index.htm

For the Anti-Tyrannical Group...

(Kainien, Tasha, and Shanon)

Post here if you've any questions, and I'll do the likewise.

Assignment for Tuesday

For those who missed class on Thursday, 18 January, please write out your answer to the following question and hand it in at class on Tuesday.

Given what you currently know about the Athens game, what faction would you like to be on and why?

Prof. Dix

Hopefully all of you are plugging away at Plato if you are not reading all of the important things I have to say...just kidding. No but seriously, read Plato.

:)

Welcome to the Reacting "family"! I know it sounds very nerdy to you, as it did to me when my preceptors, a couple of well-adjusted, not- overtly nerdy kids, told me the same thing. But just wait--this class will bring out the research nerd in all of you!

Just a couple of things about the blog:

1) It is your lifeline for this class. Without it no one would know what is going on or know what to argue about in class. Therefore you must check it with frequencey and post with just as much frequency, or else you will be left out of the loop and your faction will LOSE. No pressure.

2) I love the blog.

3) Bryan also loves the blog.

4) Make sure you email me questions about the blog to bdacious@uga.edu so that I can attempt to answer them despite my very limited computer knowledge. If I can't answer your questions, then I will point you to someone who can.

I look very much forward to working with all of you (especially my factions). Enjoy!

Kendall
(although sometimes the blog refers to me as King Louis XVI, which I have yet to learn to fix. I respond to both.)