Poleis

1. Ancient Greek Poleis

2. Athens • Located on peninsula of Attica • Did not have a strong army • Did have a strong navy • Home of philosophers, artists, poets, and painters • Home of the goddess Athena

3. Government of Athens • Started as a monarchy: ruled by one king. • In 600 BC, the monarchy switched to an oligarchy. • Oligarchy is a form of government where only a few rich men rule. • The poor demanded power, and the government turned into a democracy. • Democracy means the citizen's vote to make the right decision. • The first democracy was known as the Council of 500. • 500 citizens were randomly chosen each year from a large pool. Poor and rich people were selected. • This method let everyone have a voice in government.

4. Girls in Athens • Worked at home • Did not play sports • Were told girls should be seen and not heard • Did not go to school • Had no rights

5. Boys of Athens • Worked with their fathers in the fields or craft shops. • Since there were no public schools, the rich had tutors or went to a private school. • At the age of 18, boys went to the temple of Zeus to take the oath of citizenship.

6. Sparta • Known as liars and cheaters • Located in southern Peloponnesus • Largest polis • Biggest enemy is Athens • Strong army; Weak navy

7. Sparta • Sparta had slaves who were captured prisoners from other polis' • Seven slaves for every Spartan • 600 BC, the slaves fought back but the Spartans were able to contain and beat the slaves • Iron rods were used as money • Sparta was defeated in 371 BC by the polis, Thebes.

8. Spartan Government • Sparta's government was an oligarchy. An oligarchy is a government where a few rich men rule

9. Spartan Girls • Trained to be strong fighters and began at age 7 • Practiced running, throwing spears, and playing ball • Women were respected and had rights

10. Spartan Boys • Trained to be soldiers and began at age 7 • Every ten days they were lined up and examined to make sure they were not too fat. • Spartan men could marry at age 20; however, they had to live and eat in the military barracks. • Newborn babies were examined to see if they were healthy. If not they were placed on a hillside for jackals to eat.

11. Megara • Citizens known as Megarians • Located between Pelopponesus and Attica • Thriving textile industry • Great commercial trade center • Medieval times known as Constantinople • Today known as Istanbul • Theagenes was a powerful ruler who helped the poor defeat the rich in government. • Megara did not take sides in the war between Athens and Sparta

12. Corinth • Citizens known as Corinthians • Located between Pelopponesus and Attica • Known for a huge seaport used for trading • Large cultural center • 655 BC, Cypselus took control of the government and brought order and wealth to the polis. • After Cypselus died, his son, Periander, took control for 40 years. • Periander encouraged business, literature and art, lowered taxes, set up a money system, and solved the city's unemployment system.

13. Argos • Citizens known as Argives • Poor soil • Located in Peloponnesus • Climate was hot and dry in summer and cold and wet in winter • Temenus was a powerful leader who helped Argos become a powerful polis • 680 BC, a mean tyrant named Pheidon destroyed Temenus and took control of the Argos' government. • Argos did not take sides in the big battles between Sparta and Athens • Argos was jealous of Sparta because they were both from Peloponnesus and Sparta was more powerful.