Classicism Historical Context

Classicism Historical Context

The origins of Classicism are traceable to ancient Greece. Although Greek history includes the Golden Age, the fifth century B.C., one of the greatest periods of cultural development in Western civilization, it was often the negative aspects of their history—the events of war, of plague, and of a Golden Age lost—that became a source of inspiration for Greek classical writers.

Democracy in Greece

Pericles became the leader of the democratic party in Athens in 461 B.C. and ruled during Athens's Golden Age. When state pay was instituted for officials in 450 B.C., Athens nearly became a full democracy; class was no longer a factor in official appointments. However, women, metics, and slaves were still completely excluded from politics. A demonstrated lack of respect as well as the active censorship of these residents were also byproducts of Athenian success.

Historians estimate the population of Attica, the state over which Athens was the...
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