Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

The social value of freedom exists by the end of the sixth century. Personal freedom awareness results from the role of Greek women, and civic freedom awareness develops from the role of the small rural landholder, both discussed above. Both of these groups are excluded from any say in the government of the ruling wealthy. Patterson finds the third element of freedom, sovereignal freedom, coming into being as a result of the Persian Wars.

During the war in the sixth century B.C., Greek cities are occupied by the Persians. this exposes the Greeks to the opulent lifestyle of the Persians, a people heavily dependent on slave labor. The occupation makes the Greeks think about the issues of slavery and freedoms of various kinds. As Kurt Raaflaub puts it, "The natural freedom of the Greeks vis-a-vis the oriental slave natures of...