Athens and the Parthenon Complex

Until the state has reached a politically inclusive level where it can make those big decisions, they don't happen. And i think athens is the key example here. Athens becomes democracy, and then it makes the choice, as a democracy, to become a sea power. Britain doesn't become england until after 16 88 because that critical meshing of landed wealth, commercial wealth, economic interests only happens when you set up the national debt. By 17 o seven, the royal navy, by has to put 25 % of its effort into defending trade. It's the royal navy but it belongs to the city. The city is actually driving the whole project. So put russia in there, not