Roles of Government in Ancient Greece

Proposed Keystone Exam: Civics and Government Vocabulary “…role of federal government….” “…purpose and function of governmental….” For our class “role” shall mean the same as purpose and function.

Educating citizens in the operation of their political system and government is the goal of civics.

Elements of Political systems Government Community Public policies or laws

Why study Ancient Athens? The roles of ancient Athens’ government in their city were: Administer rule of law Military defense Necessary services Maintain legislative and executive institutions. The roles of American government in our country are: Administer rule of law Military defense Necessary services Maintain legislative and executive institutions.

Four Roles of Government in our Community: Keep the domestic peace and maintain “rule of law” with police, jails and courts. Military protection of community. Provide needed services of public works and instruction to community members. Maintain legislative and executive institutions to write and execute laws or public policy.

Examples from Ancient Greece. Around 500 BCE (Before Common Era), the people living in the city of Athens started ruling themselves. They created their own government. Free males of Greek ancestry were the only citizens. “Polis” is the Greek word for “town with wall” or a city-state.

Athenian citizens served in their city-state’s military. These citizen- soldiers defended their polis and expanded their boundaries. This is a drawing of a Greek phalanx, an ancient battle technique.

Athenian citizens formed a force to control their polis- called the police. Jails were started. Juries of citizens maintained the rule of law by listening to witnesses and rendering verdicts.

The polis’ government provided needed services for their residents. The agora, or market place, (right) was maintained for residents to buy and sell goods. It also served as a meeting place to discuss city “politics”- issues affecting the power of citizens inside their city- state.

The last role of government is to maintain institutions to write and execute laws (public policies). Greek Assemblies wrote their laws. All citizens had to become involved. Greek Councils enforced the Assembly’s laws. Pericles (left), was an Athenian general and member of it’s Assembly.

Last question, do citizen-soldiers play an integral part of the American government?