Julie Harkin

Ms. Lark

Ancient History

28 April 2019

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up

being governed by your inferiors” in this quote by Plato he is describing the importance

of politics and how you must be involved or fall to the enslavement of a ruler. I think

Politics and bureaucracy are the main reason for ancient societies to comfrom and adapt

to the world it is now. Each society could have a different as to why they developed into

what they are now but collectively, all societies changed due to the political climate they

were under. Politics change countries and people which is why I chose politics.

Throughout history you can pinpoint a country's change to a certain ruler and see how

they impacted a society. The things different rulers have done has impacted the culture of

each society and can explain why each is unique and different.

To begin, Alexander the great is a great example of politics being a main

contributor to change in a society. Alexander became the ruler of greece at age of 20 after

the death of his father, King Philip II (alexander the great). Alexander growing up had

excellent teaching from very important people which helped him learn about all of greek

culture. Alexander is known for the spread of hellenism which means the spread of greek

culture. By the age of 30 he had power over the most land the ancient world had ever

known. He had changed these societies through hellenization and conquering each

territory. And now today you can see the impact still affecting them even over those
many years because he changed the politics (alexander the great). The greek culture

expanded and the roman culture entered a new era with a different perspective on the arts

rather than a heavy focus on physical things such as roads. With Rome, after ALexander

the great has had a rich history of art and politics out of it.

The next ruler that had main a huge impact because of politics was the roman

emperor constantine. The city of Rome was strict about christians, kill them (Tor). There

was no tolerance for them because everyone else was a pagan which meant christians

were targeted. They even used them as game and have animals eat them in the colosseum

for enjoyment. Until the rule of constantine, this changed. Constantine was a pagan for a

good part of his life until he became sick and was anointed by a christian, this event had

convinced him to create the edict of milan which allowed for christians to practice

without persecution (constantine the great). This is another example of how politics

forever impacted a society which still works in the favour off. This action allowed for

roman catholics to create a long rich history of art and knowledge based on this one

change.

The final person is Muhammed which contributed to most of middle east.

Muhammed is the final prophet god and in his life he had heard things from god but he

didn't listen until he went to mecca. Muhammad was thrown out due to the jews because

they called him a heretic but he did not give up. Muhammad kept praying and was able to

take mecca in Gods name. Muhammed used is power to start a change in the middle east

and today they are still followers of the religion (spread of islam).
 In conclusion, all these rulers had a great impact on their society and developed a

new world. Without their politics and leadership, the world would be different and

nothing like it is today. Alexander, Constantine and Muhammad are just a couple of

examples how politics brought change. Not all change is good but is necessary to keep

adapting to the surroundings around you as nothing will ever perementant. We use

history as a guide of what to do and not to do because we reep the benefits to look back.

We and change the world for but it starts with the people. The quote from plato talks

about how the poelple who dont vioce their needs, means the government will overtake

them. Being involved with politics is what brings the change we ultimately need.
 Work cited

“Alexander the Great.” ​Wikipedia,​ Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Apr. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great.

“Constantine the Great.” ​Wikipedia​, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Apr. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great.

Tor. “THE ROMANS.” ​THE ROMANS,​ Taylor & Francis Group, 1 Dec. 2014,

www.routledgetextbooks.com/textbooks/9781138776685/chapter1.php.

“Spread of Islam.” ​Wikipedia​, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Apr. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spread_of_Islam.