The Greek City-State 4-2

Polis Polis – Greek city-state Acropolis – fortified area on top of a hill, used for meetings Fortress and religious center Agora – Below an Acropolis Open area that served both as an assembly place and market Adult Males Political rights (vote, hold office) Serve in the Military Adult women, children & noncitizens No political rights

Military Nobles on horseback Hoplites Phalanx Heavily armed foot soldiers equipped with a round shield, short sword, thrusting spear (9 feet long) Phalanx Marching soldier to shoulder in rectangular formation Created a wall of shields to protect the hoplites

Greek Expansion Reasons: Overpopulation at home, desire for good farmland, growth of trade Each Greek colony became a new polis, independent of the polis that had founded it S. Italy, S. France, E. Spain, N. Africa, West of Egypt, Thrace, shores of the Black Sea, Hellensport, Bosporus straits (Byzantium, later Constantinople, now Istanbul) Trading Pottery wine, olive oil Grains, metals (W), Fish timber, wheat, metals and slaves form the black sea region

Tyranny in the City-States Tyrants Rulers who seized power by force from the aristocrats Supported by the newly rich and peasants (who owed aristocrats money) Help poor and launch public works Increased popularity By 6th Century – Fallen out of favor Rule of Law, and tyranny was an insult to that idea Led to democracy – gov by the people or rule of the many

Sparta Sparta needed land Conquered neighboring Laconians Messenia 730 BC Herlots - a captive person who was forced to work for the conqueror To keep them in line, created a military state Children are taught military discipline Military service at age 20 Live in barracks until 30 After 30, could vote, live at home, but stayed in army till 60

Sparta Women lived at home Oligarchy headed by 2 kings Ephors Greater freedom Expected their husbands and sons to be brave in war Oligarchy headed by 2 kings Ephors A group of five men, were elected each year and were responsible for the education of youth and the conduct of all citizens A council of elders, composed of the two kings and 28 citizens over the age of 60, decided on the issues that would be presented to an assembly made of male citizens. This assembly did not debate; it only voted on the issues.

Sparta Foreigners were discouraged from visiting, except for military reasons Spartans were not allowed to travel abroad Might encounter ideas dangerous to the stability of the state Discouraged from studying philosophy, literature or the arts Art of war was the Spartan ideal

Athens Early Athens ruled by king Oligarchy under the control of the Aristocrats Owned the best land and controlled political life Was an assembly but had little power Verge of Civil War Draco, a politician added harsh penalties to the laws Many farmers sold into slavery because of debts Solon, reform-minded aristocrat Cancelled land debts, freed people fallen into slavery Would not give land to the poor

Athens Peisistratus, aristocrat 560 BC seized power from Solon Aided Athenian trade to please merchants Gave aristocrats’ land to peasants Athenians rebelled against Peisistratus’s son in 540 BC

Athens Cleisthenes 512BC took over New council of 500 that supervised foreign affairs, oversaw the treasury, and proposed the laws that would be voted on by the assembly The Athenian assembly, composed of male citizens, was given final authority to pass laws after free and open debate.

Homework 4-2 Review; Page 84 Q. 1-5