Ancient Athens was a place of art, culture, democracy, war, development, beauty, disease, slavery, sexism, racism, and more. Though it was a democracy only those lucky enough to be deemed a citizen afforded that right. In so many ways Athens was a success and it is remembered as the most influential of all Greek City-States. Many people flourished in such a flawed Athenian society; this essay will address how democracy in ancient Athens in fact failed, while culture flourished. it is important to note that Athens was in political turmoil throughout Aristophanes’ entire lifetime. Though Athens is steadily known as democratic the mode of delivery varied greatly throughout its existence. For over a hundred years Athens was ruled by “a radical form of democracy” (xv, Sommerstein) where all “citizens” had an equal vote in political matters. At this time only Free, male, adult, landowners were considered citizens. That being said there were roughly five thousand of them. The five thousand Athenian citizens who controlled policy made up a small percentage of the population it affected and were in constant disarray. This “democracy” lead to the Peloponnesian War, the destruction of the Athenian fleet, the illhandling of the plague, and “a heavy run-down of Athenian financial resources” (xvii, Sommerstein). Despite all this “Athens was not destroyed, as many Athenians believed it would be” (xvii, Sommerstein). Because the pillars of Athens never fell, and the city never sacked life within the walls was able to continue; and those fortunate enough to study, learn, write, and indulge in culture would not be fighting wars, and were able to continue doing so.
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