(Spyridakis 62) and also stating that, "He is by nature a slave who is capable of belonging to another (and therefore does belong to another) and who has access to reason in that he senses it and understands it but does not possess it." (Spyridakis 63). Many Athenians viewed slavery as necessary to society in order to give a citizen more time to participate in government affairs and other matters that were viewed as more important than a slave's work. Although some lower-class Athenians may have been forced to share labor with slaves, most Athenians did not participate in slave's work. Male slaves did harder labor such as construction and agriculture. Female slaves ran their mistress' errands and generally took care of domestic affairs under the watchful eye of their mistress. Slaves also acted as State scribes. In short, slaves did much of the work that allowed Athens to prosper in a period of "enlightenment." In light of the unrecognized people who helped to build the foundations for the Athenian Empire, this "Golden Age" seem far less golden. However, many major accomplishments grew out of this period as well. Before one can or cannot place a "Golden Age" label on 5th century Athens, one must consider other times when the ends of man's accomplishments may not have justified the means. Athens could be compared to post- Revolutionary America, where a "democratic" government was only available to white male citizens. Yet Americans tend to view this time with much patriotism and pride. Likewise the Industrial Revolution is said to be a great accomplishment of mankind, but little recognition is given to the horrible factory conditions that employees, many women and children, endured. I would say that the 5th century BCE was as much a "Golden Age" for man as either of the above mentioned time periods. I think that most of our accomplishments as humans rest on the shoulders of invisible and overlooked peoples....
