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SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE.

a. Compare the origins and structure of the Greek polis, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.

The Typical Polis Polis= a city-state

surrounded by villages, fields, orchards

Citadel: fortress on a hill Acropolis:

The Greek word for citadel

the upper fortified part of ancient Greek city,

In the center of the city On top = temple of local

deity Agora:

where citizens gathered to carry out public affairs

Polis political center Usually at the foot of the

acropolis

2Athens agora

The Citizens could

vote hold public office speak for themselves own property

Expected to serve in government and defend the polis in war.

Excluded: Slaves foreign-born

residents, and women Pre 500 bce landless

men 3

Acropolis in Athens

Greek Colonies and Trade

700 B.C. Not enough grain

to feed everyone Each polis =

established colonies in coastal areas.

Each colony = close ties with its

mainland metropolis

supplied grain exported the

mainland’s wine, olive oil, and other cash crops.

Greek Colonies and Trade

Replaced barter system with a money economy

expanded overseas trade. Merchants

started issuing coins

Cities assumed this responsibility

Greek Colonies and Trade

Ionia in Asia Minor assumed

leadership in a growing textile industry

pottery made in Ionia was the earliest Greek pottery to be exported.

Greek Colonies and Trade Exported

Pottery Wine Olive oil

Imported from the Black Sea Timber Fish Wheat Metals slaves

Imported from the west Grains Metals Fish

Political and Social Change

Economic growth = changed Greek political lifeKings USED to rule

Now landholding aristocrats

Aristocrats = supply military forces for king’s ventures

Political and Social Change

Farmers became indebted to

landowners Couldn’t repay loans Would sell

themselves into slavery

Disputes arose between the aristocrats and farmers

Farmers demanded political reforms.

Political and Social Change

Greek armies Relied on Hoplites- foot

soldiers -(generally farmers) more than cavalry (generally aristocrats)

aristocrats began to lose influence.

Farmers provide the core of the phalanx—closely arrayed rows of soldiers with solid row of shields

Merchants and artisans began demanding change

wanted polis to advance business interests

Tyrants Increase in trade and

industry = new group of wealthy people.

Wanted political power but the aristocrats refused

Led to tyrants- rulers who seized power from the aristocrats, using hired soldiers.

Once they gained power they built new marketplaces, temples, and walls.

Tyrants Supported by:

The new wealthy poor peasants

(indebted to the aristocrats)

Not evil or bad as we have come to know the term.

Tyrants ruled from 7th and 6th centuries, bce,

Helped establish a pattern of someone other than aristocracy ruling city-states.

Terms to Know Polis: a city-state; the basic political unit of

the Hellenic civilization Citizen: those who take part in government Aristocrat: nobles; members of the upper

class Phalanx: rows of soldiers using their

shields to form a wall Tyrant: a person seizing power of a city-

state and controlling it Oligarchy: where a few wealthy people hold

power Democracy: a government by the people

where power lies in the hands of the people

Terms to Know Acropolis: a fortified area at the top of a

hill in a Greek city-state. Agora: a fortified area below the

acropolis where people would assemble and where the market was located.

Hoplites: heavily armed infantry soldiers Helots: people captured by the Spartans. Ephors: a group of five men who were

elected each year by the Spartans and were responsible for the education of the youth and the conduct of all citizens.