1

Mr. Wisner

World History

07 October 2016

Which System Was Better?

Does Rome have a better system than Athens? Around 500 BCE a new idea took shape,

Roman citizenship eligibility rights influenced. Citizenships is a status, it involved a balance

between individual rights, such as the right to vote, and the duty to serve ones country. Rome

had a better system of citizenship than Athens because women had rights, included more people,

and were more organized.

In Athens women were not allowed to have citizenship, on the other hand woman in

Rome could get a citizenship at birth, if parents were citizens. Women had rights even though

they were limited. Although they could not vote or hold public office they were able to own their

own property. Which helped them to grow crops so they can make trade, and profit. Roman

Republic were more generous to their people including women and children. Conversely Athens

did not gave rights to women and children, they only gave citizenship to adult males.

Although not all citizens obtain the same rights or the same political attendance in Roman

Republic, they still got citizenship in modified amounts. For example in document C for Rome

number two explains that Foederati is citizens of states with treaty obligations with Rome- were

given limited rights in return for performing military service. Which explains how citizens

could earn modified rights. Romans would give away their citizenship away openly with

reasonable benefits, while Athens were greedy with their citizenship.

 2

Rome was more coordinated than Athens, the censors were elected in pairs. Not only did

they counted Romes civilians, but also arranged them into specific classes. The censors

rankings was established by wealth, heartridge, administrative competence, marital status,

physical, and moral fitness. It settled the civilian's political privilege, level taxation, and military

service. Anybody who did not meet the requirements of the censors could relegate and if the

offender was a senator it meant they will be removed from the Senate. The senate was a big part

of keeping Rome organized, it had full governing power in Rome by the third century BCE. The

Senate made treaties and created alliances, they were also responsible for war policy, and the

control of public lands.

In conclusion Rome has a better system than Athens. Rome had more equality between

women, children, and men rather than Athens since they only gave citizenship to men. Rome was

also better organized they had rankings and Senate. They gave women the right to own property

even though women still had limited rights, which was a lot better than Athens.