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The Greek city-state, known as the polis, was the central political unit in ancient Greece, typically comprising a city and its surrounding countryside. Ranging from 50 to 500 miles, these city-states had populations often under 10,000. Diverse forms of government thrived, including monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, and direct democracy. Prominent reforms by leaders like Draco and Solon laid foundations for Athenian democracy, although citizenship was restricted to free adult males. Meanwhile, Sparta exemplified a military state, contrasting sharply with the democratic ideals of Athens.
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Government in Greece The Greek City-State
The Polis • The city-state was the fundamental unit in ancient Greece • Made up of a city and the surrounding countryside • Typically covered between 50 and 500 miles. • Population was usually under 10,000 people
Government • Citizens would typically meet at the agora or the acropolis to discuss politics • There were many different forms of government in the city states of Greece • Monarchy • Aristocracy • Oligarchy • Direct Democracy
Government • Aristocracy • A government ruled by a small group of noble, landowning families. • Gained power by serving in the kings military cavalry • Oligarchy • When wealthy merchants and artisans emerged and took power or shared it with nobility. • Government with a few powerful people.
Government • Tyrants • When powerful people rise and seize control over the government • Not like tyrants today, not harsh and cruel. • Looked at as leaders who worked as leaders for the people • Often worked to create jobs and building projects for the people
Democracy • The idea of representative government started to grow in some city-states, particularly Athens • Athens moved to reform and moved towards government by the people • Athenians participated directly in political decision making.
Building Democracy • Nobleman named Draco took power in 621 and created a new legal code. • Based on the idea that all Athenians were equal under the law • Rich or poor • Dealt harshly with criminals • The death penalty was the punishment for almost every crime
Solon • Introduced more changes in 594 BC • No citizen should own another citizen • Outlawed debt slavery • Divided the citizens into four social classes according to wealth. • Only members of the top three classes could hold public office • Any citizen can bring charges against wrongdoers
Cleisthenes • Around 500 BC he introduced more reforms • Organized citizens into ten groups based on where they lived rather than on their wealth • All citizens can submit laws for debate and passage • Created the Council of 500 • Body that proposed laws and counseled the assembly • Council member chosen at random • This became a limited democracy
Citizenship • This government was restricted to a relatively small number of Athenians • Only free adult males were considered citizens • Women, children, slaves, and foreigners were not citizens • Had very few rights • Including a lack of education • Only wealthy males received a formal education • Studied reading, grammar, poetry, history, math, and music. • Boys also received training in logic and public speaking • Athletics was also heavily emphasized • When they got older they went to military school.
Role of women • Didn’t attend school • At home by their mothers and other female members of their household. • Learned child rearing, weaving cloth, preparing meals, managing the household, and other mother skills. • Some even learned to read or write • Didn’t do much outside the home.
SPARTA • Located in southern Greece known as Peloponnesus • Nearly cut off from the rest of Greece • Pretty much the opposite of Athens • Not a democracy, but a military state • Sparta Dominated military conflicts • Conquered the Messeniaians
