The Greek City-States: Polis Life and Government

1. Section Two: The Greek City-States

2. Section 2 Objectives • Define city-state & tell how the city-state of Sparta & Athens differed

3. I. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • By 750 B.C., the polis (city-state) became the central focus of Greek life • It was a town, city or village serving as a center where people met for political, economic, social & religious activities

4. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • The main gathering place was usually on a hill, topped with a fortified area called the *acropolis • Below was the agora, an open area for people to assemble & for a market

5. Acropolis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ac.acropolis3.JPG

6. Acropolis Agora

7. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • Athens was the largest city-state • Polis was a community of people who shared an identity & goals

8. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • Three classes:1. citizens with political rights (adult males)2. citizens without political rights (women & children)3. noncitizens (slaves & resident aliens)

9. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • Responsibilities accompanied rights • Loyalty made the city-states fiercely patriotic & distrustful of one another • Helped bring Greece to ruin

10. The Polis: Center of Greek Life • Military system based on hoplites • Infantry who carried shield, sword & spear • The fought shoulder to shoulder in a *phalanx formation

11. phalanx formation

12. Spartan HoplitePhalanx

13. II. Greek Colonies • 750 & 550 B.C. many Greeks settled distant lands • Trade & good farmland • Cities of Hellespont, Bosporus & Byzantium

15. Greek Colonies • Exports: Pottery, wine & olive oil • Imports: lumber, grain & slaves • New wealthy class of merchants

16. III. Tyranny in the City-states • New wealth led to the rise of tyrants • Greek tyrants were rulers who seized power by force from the aristocrats • Oppressive rules • Aristocrats oppressed them, peasants supported them

17. Tyranny in the City-states • Seized & kept power by using hired soldiers • Built new walls & temples • Fall out of favor by the 6th century B.C.

18. Government in the City-states • *Democracy – ruled by the many • Other city-states remained committed to government by an *oligarchy, rule by the few • Athens & Sparta

19. IV. Sparta • Greek city-state • Gained land through conquest of neighbors • Captured people were known as helots • These serfs worked for the Spartans

20. A military State • 800 & 600 B.C. • Rigidly controlled & disciplined • Entered the military at 20 & lived in the barracks until 30

22. A military State • Stayed in the army until 60 • Women & men lived apart • Women expected to remain fit to bear & raise healthy children • Men expected to be brave in battle, to win or be killed

23. B. Government of Sparta • The Spartan government was an oligarchy • Ephors – were elected each year & were responsible for the education of youth & the conduct of all citizens • 2 kings & 28 men made up the government • Did not debate, but only voted

24. Government of Sparta • Closed itself off from the outside world • Travelers & travel discouraged • Frowned upon new ideas & the arts

25. V. Athens • A king ruled early Athens • By 7th century B.C., oligarchy of aristocrats • Economic & political troubles

26. Athens • Reformist Solon appointed leader in 594 B.C. • Canceled debts, but did not give land to the poor • Led to tyranny

27. Athens • Appointed the reformer Cleisthenes in 508 B.C. • Created a new council of five hundred • Proposed new laws & supervise the treasury & foreign affairs

28. Athens • Assembly had final authority to pass laws after free & open debate • *Reforms of Cleisthenes created the foundation for Athenian democracy

29. Acropolis

30. Early Acropolis

31. Chapter Objectives • Describe the roles of the Persian & Peloponnesian wars in Greek history • List the cultural contributions of the Greeks to Western civilization • Explain how Alexander the Great created his empire