by 750 bc the polis was a fundamental political unit in ancient greece city and the surrounding...
TRANSCRIPT
SECTION 4: CITY-STATES
POLITICAL STRUCTURE
POLIS
By 750 BC the polis was a fundamental political unit in Ancient Greece
City and the surrounding country (city-state)
50-500 square miles Often fewer than 10,000 people
AGORA Public square for trade and government
ACROPOLIS Fortified hill top Gather to discuss city government
MODEL OF ATHENIAN ACROPOLIS
POLITICAL STRUCTURES
Different among city-states Monarchy-rule by a king Aristocracy-rule by nobility
Dynastic Oligarchy-rule by a few powerful people
TYRANTS
Nobility who seized control Worked for the interest of the people Tyranny-gaining power and ruling by
force
ATHENS
LOCATION
Rocky Hillside North of Sparta Attica Peninsula
REFORM
Power struggle between rich and poor Moved towards democracy Citizens participated directly in
decisions Direct Democracy
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
Monarchy to Aristocracy to Tyranny to Democracy
Democracy-government where citizens hold power Originator of Democracy
CITIZEN
Person who could take part in government Free Adult Males
Expected to take part in government Land Ownership was required at first
EVERYONE ELSE
No political rights Slaves (1/3 of population) Women-expected to take care of family
and household
CLASSICAL ATHENS
Developed the most democratic system Became the foundation of modern
democracy Developed direct democracy-each citizen
had input into all decision making Debate The Assembly-to speak their minds and
exercise their votes regarding the government
DRACO
621 BC First Greek Legal Code-all Athenians
equal under law Harsh punishments for crimes Retained debt slavery
SOLON (SO-LUHN)
594 BC Outlawed debt slavery Organized all citizens into 4 classes
(according to wealth) Top 3 could hold office All could participate in assembly
PEISISTRATUS
561 BC Loaned money for farming Gave jobs to poor by building
CLEISTHENES (KLYS-THUH-NEEZ)
500 BC Organized Citizens by location not
wealth 10 groups
All citizens could submit laws to assembly
COUNCIL OF 500
Created by Cleisthenes Proposed law Counseled the Assembly Chosen by lottery
ATHENIAN EDUCATION
Boys Only wealthy Reading, grammar,
poetry, history, math, music, public speaking
Military school
Girls Educated at home by
mothers Learned child rearing
and household tasks, weaving, and cooking
Few learned to read or write
SPARTA
INTRODUCTION
Peloponnesus-Peloponnesian Peninsula Militaristic State
MESSENIANS
Conquered by Sparta-725 BC Helots-peasants forced to work land
Paid ½ of crops in rent Military developed after Helots revolt-
650 BC
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
Assembly All citizens (free adult males) Elected officials and voted on issues
Council of Elders (30 older citizens) Proposed laws to Assembly
Ephors-5 elected officials Carried out laws (administration) Controlled courts and education Power to veto laws Oligarchy-rule by a small group
SOCIAL GROUPS
Ruling families owned lands Free non-citizens-traders and artisans Helots-farming and servants
SPARTAN DAILY LIFE
Effects of militaristic society Most powerful army Did not learn value of arts and learning Valued duty and discipline over freedom
and learning Lagged behind other states (Athens) in
trade and cultural achievements
BOYS
Military training to become good soldiers
Infants-left to die on hillside if not healthy
Age 7-moved to barrack to learn military skills
Age 20-became soldiers on frontier Age 30-married, supported family Age 60- Retired, trained soldiers
BARRACKS
GIRLS
Received Military Training Were taught Sparta before their family Married at 19 Expected to be mothers of good
soldiers