Geography, the Greek City-State and Democracy

Geography, the Greek City-State and Democracy

http://www.ldmark.com/Igreece/CityState.jpg

Objectives:You will be able to:

◦explain what a city-state is. ◦explain how geography affected the

peoples of the Balkan Peninsula ◦explain how the polis was the center

of Greek Life. ◦Compare and contrast the city-states

of Sparta and Athens

But first, a fun quiz…

1. Did the ancient Greeks own slaves?


1. Did the ancient Greeks own slaves? [True - even democratic Athens had no compunction about owning slaves]



2. Could women vote in democratic Athens?



2. Could women vote in democratic Athens? [False - in fact, arguably, women had more power over their lives in Sparta]


3. Were most city-states actually cities?


3. Were most city-states actually cities? [False - the vast majority were only small towns of a few hundred citizens]


3. Were most city-states actually cities? [False - the vast majority were only small towns of a few hundred citizens]4. Did the ancient Greeks have nobles and aristocrats?


3. Were most city-states actually cities? [False - the vast majority were only small towns of a few hundred citizens]4. Did the ancient Greeks have nobles and aristocrats? [True - even in democratic Athens the aristocrats remained a force to be reckoned with]


5. Was the secret of ancient Greece's success its rich, fertile land?


5. Was the secret of ancient Greece's success its rich, fertile land? [False - the mountainous terrain was only suitable for a few select crops like olives]


5. Was the secret of ancient Greece's success its rich, fertile land? [False - the mountainous terrain was only suitable for a few select crops like olive.6. Did the ancient Greeks value wealth above all else?


5. Was the secret of ancient Greece's success its rich, fertile land? [False - the mountainous terrain was only suitable for a few select crops like olive.6. Did the ancient Greeks value wealth above all else? [False - fame and honor meant much more to the average Greek citizen than wealth].

Quiz from http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/

http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/

http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How was Greece organized politically?

*notes modified from http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_11_03.pdf

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How was Greece organized politically? Greek City-States Geographic features separated Greece into

small regionsForm of government in Greece, including colonies, was the city-state

- the polis—Greek name for a city-state—common around 700 B.C. E.• Most city-states were small—fewer than 20,000 people—due to geography

- Athens and Sparta were largest- small size caused people to form a close community


Layout of the City Center of life was the agora—

open space for business, gatherings ◦political discussions, festivals,

athletic contests- statues, temples, public buildings

*notes modified from http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_11_03.pdfPIC: http://www.planetizen.com/files/agora.jpg

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_11_03.pdf


http://www.planetizen.com/files/agora.jpg



Layout of the City Many cities had a fortified hilltop

—acropolis, or “highest city” - used for military at first, but later had temples, palaces

*notes modified from http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_11_03.pdfhttp://www.athens-greece.us/acropolis/map-of-the-acropolis/acropolis_map_02.jpg



EQ: What different political systems evolved in the city- states of Greece?



Monarchs and Aristocrats Each city-state was independent, used its own

form of government ◦ some kept political systems for centuries, others

changed systems Earliest governments were monarchies ruled by

king or queenAristocracy—upper class, nobility; in Greece,

born into a high family • Most city-states, like Corinth, began as monarchies by 700s B.C.E., most were ruled by an aristocracy



Oligarchy Oligarchy—means “rule by the few”

- people rule because of wealth, land, not birth Tyrants In monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, poor lack

power—at times rebelled - wealthy person seeking power could use anger of poor to gain support

Tyrant—someone who took power illegally, was not of royal birth - not necessarily cruel in Greece—some tyrants helped the poor

Tyrants helped overthrow oligarchy, united people for change


EQ: How did limited democracy develop in Athens?



Citizenship People learned they could influence

government, demanded more power Greeks invented idea of citizenshipCitizen—person loyal to government and

protected by government ◦ in Greece, must be born to free citizens, either

upper or lower class ◦ in much of Greece, only upper-class citizens had

powerLower-class citizens demanded power;

slowly created major change



Solon and Cleisthenes Poor farmers who owed money worked for

others or became slaves Solon, elected around 594 B.C., made

reforms to prevent revolt ◦no citizen could be enslaved; social class based

on wealth, not birth ◦all citizens could serve in assembly, elect leader

Around 500 B.C., Cleisthenes took more power away from nobles - organized citizens into groups by residence, not

wealth



Direct Democracy In democracy, all citizens make political

decisions in government • Athens had direct democracy—all citizens meet to decide on laws ◦ United States has indirect democracy—people

elect representatives

Limited Democracy Athens had limited democracy—only free

adult males were citizens ◦ women, slaves, foreigners could not take part in

government◦ noncitizens could not become citizens

*notes modified from http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_11_03.pdfPic from http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1706948865_1363619092.jpg




http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1706948865_1363619092.jpg

http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1706948865_1363619092.jpg

Which city state would you rather live in? Compare Athens and SpartaCreate a chart using the following

categories and research about the two city states◦Population ◦Role of Women ◦Education ◦Cultural Achievements ◦Military ◦Government ◦Social Structure ◦Religion ◦ Important Laws

Documents

Geography, the Greek City-State and Democracy