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Government

Ancient forms of government.
Polity of the Athenians - Xenophon
Xenophon writes about the democracy of the Athenians, and the way the rich support public programs. Xenophon explains the problems with and objections to democracy.
Polity of the Lacedaemonians - Xenophon
Xenophon describes the reforms of Lycurgus and the government of the Lacedaemonians (Spartans).
Major Near and Middle Eastern Kings
While the Greeks favored their small, local governments, the Persians were empire builders, with autocratic monarchs in charge.
Introduction to Babylonia
Babylonians believed the king held power because of the gods; moreover, they thought their king was a god. To maximize his power and control, a bureaucracy and centralized government were established along with the inevitable adjuncts, taxation and involuntary military service.
King Ashoka's Edicts
Ven. S. Dhammika's English rendering of the edicts of the third king of Mauryan Dynasty, the Buddhist King Ashoka.

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