1. Early Greece
CHW 3MR
Lesson 35

2. Early Greece Basic Facts:
A collection of city-states that shared the same language and religion
Culture of each city was very different
Major cities: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Olympia, Thebes, Ephesus, Delphi… and many more

3. Early Greek Government
Each city-state (polis) developed its own form of government
The city-states were proud of their uniqueness and individuality
Citizens were all adult males who had been born in that city and joined the army in wartime
Women, children, foreigners, and slaves had no political power
Greece was not a nation
The city-states shared religion, language and the Olympic Games… but NOT government

4. Most city-states were ruled by a king; sometimes hereditary, others were elected
Kings were seen as chief priest, judge, and military general, but not as a god
Over time, kings lost power to the land-owning aristocrats who had become wealthy through trade

5. These aristocrats seized control of the gov’ts
Athens was one of the first to do this… it was the wealthiest state
Archons were chosen to supervise government administration
These 3 men were eventually elected by other landowners for one year terms

6. Tyrants
Tensions arose between aristocratic land owners and the growing middle class of wealthy merchants and artisans
Merchants demanded greater influence in gov’t; the poor supported them
With trade money, merchants could now buy land and armour… they were a force to be reckoned with!
The ‘hoplite’ emerged a foot soldier with body armour, shield, helmet, and spear

7. With the support of the hoplites, tyrants who spoke for the middle class, seized power
A tyrant was simply someone who seized power unconstitutionally
Most tyrants were good administrators
Encouraged ship building, trade, and public works
They had to do good work… or they would be replaced!

8. The Rise of Democracy
In Athens, the transition to democracy was brought about by Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleisthenes
Draco:
Elected archon in 621 BCE
Athens had no written laws so rulings were arbitrary and unjust
He codified laws so they applied to all citizens
Not perfect… but offered more protection for the commoners

9. b) Solon:
Of noble birth, but also a merchant, elected archon in 594 BCE
Freed farmers who had been enslaved by landowners because of debt during poor harvests
All wealthy men could be elected to public office (not just those of noble birth)
More archons were elected to enforce Athenian law

10. Set up the Council of 400, which drafted legislation to be voted on (100 citizens from each of the 4 traditional tribes)
Left Athens in turmoil… aristocrats felt he had gone too far; farmers felt he hadn’t done enough!

11. c) Pisistratus:
Seized power, as a tyrant, in 546 BCE, supported by a mercenary army and the nobility
Ruled for 20 years and made many reforms
Gave land to the landless
Provided loans to small farmers

12. Encouraged growth of commerce
Created 30 judges who travelled from place to place
His sons, Hipparchus & Hippias ruled after his death
They were harsh and cruel.
Hipparchus was murdered in 514 BCE and Hippias was exiled in 510 BCE

13. d) Cleisthenes:
Was a noble who came to power in 508 BCE
Changed the 4 tribes system to 10 tribes from different parts of the region, with a cross section of society
Gave all citizens membership in the assembly (not just those with land)
Assembly passed laws, was the supreme court and elected 10 generals

14. Council of 400 became Council of 500 (50 from each tribe, chosen randomly each year)
Council proposed laws, organized festivals, controlled finances, public works, and foreign affairs
Instituted ‘ostracism’ to safeguard the citizens against the rise of tyrants
The assembly could vote to send men into exile that it felt were a threat to the democracy.

15. 6000 people had to scratch the name on a piece of pottery (ostraka) of the person they distrusted most
The person with the most votes cast against him would have to leave Athens within 10 days, and be exiled for 10 years