Ancient Greece Warring City-States

Key Terms Polis Acropolis Monarchy Aristocracy Oligarchy Democracy Helots Phalanx

Greek City-States Polis, political unit in Ancient Greece made up of city and surrounding villages Acropolis, fortified hilltop, or the agora, a marketplace, was where citizens gathered

Greek Governments Monarchy Aristocracy Ruled by a king Rule is hereditary Some rulers claim divine right State ruled by nobility Rule is hereditary and based on family, social rank, and wealth Social status and wealth support rulers’ authority

Greek Governments Oligarchy Democracy State ruled by small group of citizens Rule based on wealth and ability Ruling groups control military State ruled by citizens Rule is based on citizenship Majority rule decides vote

Athens Initially an aristocracy Power struggles between rich and poor Reformed government to democracy Citizens participated directly in politics

Building Democracy Draco 621 B.C. Developed legal code that all Athenians were equal, rich or poor Dealt harshly with criminals Death punishment for almost every crime Allowed debt slavery

Building Democracy Solon 594 B.C. Outlawed debt slavery Created social classes, but all could still participate in gov’t Any citizen could charge wrongdoer with a crime

Building Democracy Cleisthenes Organized citizens by region, not wealth Created representative government

Life in Athens Sons of wealthy families received education Began school around age of 7 Reading, grammar, poetry, history, math, and music Lessons in logic and public speaking Spent time each day on fitness When older, military school to prepare for defending Athens

Women in Athens Educated at home by mothers Child-rearing, weaving, cooking, managing the household, and other skills for good wives and mothers Very little to do with Athens society outside of the home

Sparta Located part of southern Greece known as Peloponnesus Separated from other Greek city-states Military state instead of democracy

Sparta Several branches of government Democratic assembly Council of Elders proposed laws 2 kings ruled military forces 3 social classes: citizens, non-citizens, and helots, or peasants forced to stay on the land they worked

Sparta Most powerful army in Greece from 600 to 371 B.C. Individual expression was discouraged Did not value the arts, literature, or other artistic and intellectual pursuits Valued duty, strength, and discipline over freedom, individuality, beauty, and learning What’s your profession?

Life of a Spartan Inspected at birth Boys taken from home at age of 7, living in army barracks Trained and stayed in barracks until age of 30 Expected to serve in army until age of 60

Life in Spartan Barracks Spent days marching, exercising, and fighting Trained outside no matter weather Only light tunics and no shoes Slept on hard benches without blankets Served little food, and encouraged to steal Produce tough, resourceful soldiers

Reflection Predict which city-state, Athens or Sparta, would last longer. Explain your reasoning for this choice.