Isabel Beltran

October 7. 2016

World History

M/W 2nd

Rome Empire

Being a citizen signifies a lot of things to different people. It's not a modern idea and in

some places citizenship is not something that's just lightly given away. Being a citizen meant not

only meeting certain responsibilities and duties, but also enjoying certain rights citizenship had

to offer. Rome and Athens are very similar civilizations, yet very different. There's major

differences with regards to citizenship that affected a lot of people. For example, Athens belittles

women, children, and some men. Whereas Rome had a better system of citizenship compared to

Athens because it was fair, allowed more individuals to become citizens, and was better

organized.

Only in Rome were women given the power to become legal citizens. Although they had

limited rights because of the time period, they were still able to own property; which was an

advancement compared to other civilizations at the time. Just like with female children, if her

parents were citizens, then they had the ability to become citizens. Despite the fact that it wasn't

as equal between the men and the women, women still had things to look forward too. Athens

was more stingy with citizenship whereas the Romans freely gave it away, that is with

limitations.

If you compare Rome and Athens, you'll see that Rome is a fairer civilization overall.

Rome and Athens are very similar, yet very different. There's major differences with regards to
citizenship that affected a lot of people. For example, Athens belittles women, children, and even

some men. Where as Rome had a better system of citizenship. Athens refereed to Athenians as

beasts and Athenians were ok with that. Whereas in Rome, a person was judged more on his

behavior towards himself and others. Rome did have a lot of faults but they were openly fair to

people. When Rome conquered a place, they handed out citizenship to make the people there less

uncomfortable. Overall, Rome showed a different type of fairness towards people they

encounter.

Citizenship was something to be honored and protected. Not everyone could have it and those

who did had a special relationship with the state. That is why I believe Rome had a better system

of citizenship because it was fair, allowed more people to become legal citizens, and it was also

better organized. Not everyone agrees with my opinion and i'm ok with that. Overall, Rome

seemed to be a better civilization that I believe anyone would want to be part of.