Spartan

This is a 28mm wargames foundry spartan miniature i have just painted

Democratic will to fight

The small fiercely independent city states of Ancient Greece, had mostly evolved from local monarchies that had been overthrown. Once the Greeks had achieved Independence, through militaristic action, they were all extremely martial. The Greeks were viciously militaristic, first out of necessity to survive, then out of lust for glory and to maintain a sense of security. Like the Ancient Greeks the early American colonists first fought to survive, then many years later to expand and to further our own influence and power. The Democratic Americans defeated the greatest nation on the planet though determination and purpose; the classical Greeks defeated the Persian Empire which was the greatest nation of the day through the same determination and cleverness as the early Americans had done.

In later years the Athenians, as well as the Spartans, were rather "gung ho" to dive head long into the Peloponnesian war. Just as the Union and confederate armies were eager to tare each other apart, in the American civil war. Does democracy in it self make people fond of conflict?

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry greek miniatures)

Medieval Mycenaeans

The Mycenaeans were the Greeks who inhabited Greece at the time of the Trojan war; they were a warlike people persistently preparing for war and battle. Their cities were massive fortresses with unbelievably thick walls. For over 300 (roughly from 1500B.C-1100B.C) hundred years this citadel dwelling warrior society dominated Greece and eastern Anatolia. The warrior aristocracy fought in plate bronze armour, much as the medieval knights. Society was organized into fifes (counties, provinces) around the massive citadels (picture # 4 remains of the Mycenaean Citadel of Tiryns walls).

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry greeks miniatures)

The Classical Warrior

Classical Greece, which lasted roughly from just 500B.C to 336 B.C, was responsible for many of the beginnings of Western civilization. Modern philosophy, astronomy, art, warfare, mathematics, rhetoric, language, history, and all the sciences owe a great deal to classical Greek influence. Why did all this happen in a period lasting little over a hundred and fifty years? One word, Democracy and meritocracy... O.K that was two words.

These are the same reasons that the United States has succeeded. The political and social rights that the common people have, is directly linked to the Political and social success of the society. If a man knows he has no stake in a society, he will not want to contribute to it; he will be selfish. However, if one knows that with a little hard work and determination their voice will be heard; moreover they can even become part of the ruling class, they WILL be more motivated. A society with the most motivated people running it WILL be more successful. The economic, cultural, and intellectual components of a society will be hyper successful, when the persons with the most merit achieve the highest positions.

The more so this is true, the more successful.

Ancient worldz Thracians

Thracians were one of the oldest eastern Europeans peoples, to inhabit that area. They were fierce warriors, and were known for their metal work and light infantry mercenaries.

Herodotus describes the Thracians "They went to the war wearing the skins of foxes upon their heads, and about their bodies tunics, over which was thrown a long cloak of many colours. Their legs and feet were clad in buskins made from the skins of fawns; and they had for arms javelins, with light targes, and short dirks. This people, after crossing into Asia, took the name of Bithynians"

The Bithynians settled in the City of Byzantium, which would one day become Constantinople (after the Roman Emperor Constantine). The Thracians would found the city that would one day become the capital of the Roman Empire(along with Greeks), and eventually the Byzantine Empire ( Rome's surviving half in the East).

What greater legacy could a people leave than creating the city that would become the seat of the greatest Empire of the time.

They were eventually run over by successive waves of Macedonians, Dacians, Sarmatians and Slavs

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry thracians)

Greek City States

All Democracies and republics will become oligarchies, and all oligarchies will become tyrannies over time. :(

The people do not have the political will to stay in power for very long and will turn to an oligarchy for the mundane role of running a nation-state. Over time the oligarchy will decrease in size, and become corrupt. Then the nation will turn to a single ruler to end the corruption, and restore order.

COULD THIS HAPPEN TODAY?

i think so

( all miniatures are 28mm foundry greek miniatures)