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Evolution of the Polis: A New Era in Ancient History

Explore the transformation from Dark Ages to the Archaic period, tracing the development of the Polis (city-state) and the concept of synoecism in ancient Greece. Discover the significance of citizenship and governance in this evolving societal structure.

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Evolution of the Polis: A New Era in Ancient History

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  1. History 104 The development of the polis

  2. A new age… • “Dark Ages” - 1150-750BC • “Archaic” period - 750-490BC

  3. Continuity and Change • Deep ties to family and land remain • Increased population demands more formal local structures • The Polis (city-state, pl. poleis) develops

  4. The Polis • “city-state” (pl. poleis) • A formal recognition of a body of people tied to a particular location • More than a group of oikoi • More specific than an ethnic label (cf. Iliad 2) • More inclusive than the Mycenaean palace system • A self-identified community

  5. The Polis • So what? • Think of what preceded…

  6. Synoecism • Local settlements merge into larger poleis • varied throughout Greece • process begins in Dark Ages

  7. Why Synoecism? • Safety in numbers • Improved warmaking organization • Efficiency?

  8. The ethnos • A people without an urban center…

  9. But… • Where do the basileis and prominent oikoi go?

  10. The Early Polis • The good (agathoi) • The ugly (=bad, kakoi)

  11. The Early Polis, cont. • The middle (mesoi) • The agathoi called everyone else hoi polloi (“the masses” lit. “the many”)

  12. Citizenship and Government • Citizenship restricted by

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