How did the Athenian democracy affect the post-Revolution American government?

This was the question on the table for this year’s 16th annual Roberts Lecture, “The Dangers of a First Citizen: Ancient and Modern,” with visiting professors Loren Samons and Brendan McConville.

The event series, held on Friday Oct. 4, was hosted by Dickinson’s Classical Studies Department.

Professor of Classical Studies Marc Mastrangelo, a close friend and former schoolmate of both McConville and Samons, opened the lecture with a brief introduction. He highlighted both men’s numerous contributions to their fields as well as the topic up for discussion before passing the podium over to McConville.

A professor with a focus on Greek and Roman history, McConvile drew heavily on the ancient Athenian ruler Periclies and his war with Sparta for his half of the lecture. The classical scholar explained how purely democratic governments could be lead astray by the power and influence of well-meaning orators.

“It is possible for a great leader with good intentions to lead his citizens into bankruptcy,” said McConville of the demagogue Periclies.

Following at the heels of McConville’s lecture, Samons began to explain how the pure democracy of Percilies’ Athens influenced America’s founding fathers.

“All the great founders, at one point before the Revolutionary War, expressed their fear of and disdain for pure democracy,” said Samons.

The professor cited the fact that the classical-educated fathers of America would have been aware of Athen’s fall at the hands of powerful orators.

At the end of the lecture the two professors opened up the floor for questions from the audience. Faculty members and students asked about George Washington’s power of oration and the importance of democracy in a media-driven world.

The Roberts Lecture is a yearly lecture series that brings noted Classical Studies scholars to Dickinson to speak, according to the Dickinson College website. Started with an inaugural event in 1998, the open forums encourage speakers to discuss topics that have an interest and impact on the modern world.