Status, Wealth And Poverty Flashcards
Types of wealth
Land - self-sufficiency, independence and freedom
City - manufactured jobs associated more with slaves
Wealth and political participation in Greece
Military aspect of land ownership (Aristotle)
Money allows ownership of slaves. The owner is allowed to attend assembly
‘Leisure’ - freedom to participate in democratic ideals
Rome - land, trade and manufacture
Land ownership - freedom, military qualification, political stability.
Cicero - moral superiority of farming in contrast to cheating trader and vulgarity and immorality of ‘pleasure’ industries.
Rome - land, money and political power
Aristocratic prejudices against practical occupations(except farming)
Equestrian interest in engineering, architecture…
Non-agricultural money making prevents rise to high political power in Rome. Important difference from Athenian democracy
How democratic was the Athenian system
Many of the high ranking leaders were aristocrats
Cimon’s family had gold mines, Nicias had Laurion silver
Complexities with wealth
How you display and use your wealth makes a difference.
Athens - wealth should be used for public advantage
Rome - visual wealth and political power
‘Nobilis’ - known-man
Virility through public donations such as buildings
Must have a lifestyle to match that of your wealth - large estate, slaves, clients
Need to be seen to be important
Charity
Greece - some public upkeep for war-wounded disabled.
Rome - Alimante schemes to support orphans
Heredity wealth
Wealth can break down barriers raised by heredity, but birth may also count against you