e government far beyond those of cities where aristocratic rule was favored. For Athens, the common men made up the navy and were paid for their service rendered as rowers on ships such as the coveted Athenian trireme. This was a new idea in the waging of war. Cities, such as Sparta, still relied on the conventional land bound Hoplite warfare which was made up mostly of aristocrats due to the expense of armor and weaponry. Another area in which the common men of Athens took to power was in public speaking. What once was a forum of aristocratic gentlemen gave way to an assembly made up of all Athenian citizens who wished to speak on behalf of his fellow man. Athens as a whole benefited from their power over the so-called allies with their control of the sea. Trade was crucial to Athens in both commerce and a means of sustaining life. Grain as well as materials for ship building made their way to Athens port. This trade was highly regulated and enforced in all allied cities. If a city is rich in shipbuilding timber where will it dispose of it unless it win the consent of the ruler of the sea? More over they will not allow our rivals to take their goods elsewhere or (if they try) they will not use the sea (Oligarch II. 11-12).Through this trade monopoly, Athens and the commons had the advantage. All of the ships were made in Athens by the commons. That brought in money and supplies from the allies, while providing a means of living for the commons and power to the Empire as a whole. Athens had grown in power to the point where, ...the large [were] in subjection because of fear, [and] the small simply because of need... (Oligarch II. 3).The democracy of Athens was in sharp contrast the the aristocratic rule of the rival city Sparta. The commons of Athens were given the rights previously held by the upper crust of the citizenry. Given the location of Athens and dependence upon trade, democracy may have been the only way to go...
