The city states of greece

Greek Roots of DemocracyGreek Roots of Democracy

Where Is Greece Located?Where Is Greece Located?

Rise of Greek City StatesRise of Greek City States

• Geography of Greece influenced how centers of power developed (lots of mountains/islands/valleys)

• City State also called the Polis• Political unit made up of a city and surrounding lands

• Due to infertile land Greeks often traveled and expanded overseas creating colonies throughout the Mediterranean from Spain to Egypt

• Their travels spread their ideas about literature, art and government

Governing the City StateGoverning the City State

City was built on two levels

Acropolis (high city) built of marble usually dedicated to different GodsBelow was the main city (marketplace, theater, homes)

Governing the City-StateGoverning the City-State

Different Types of GovernmentMonarchy – rule by king or queenAristocracy – rule by a privileged upper classSlowly power shifted from a monarchy to an aristocracy in this case a class of noble landowners and at first they supported the king but then once they had enough power they took over

Changes in WarfareChanges in Warfare

As trade expanded a new middle class emerged of merchants, farmers and artisansChanges in military technology increased the power of the middle classIron became cheaper so ordinary citizens could afford helmets and swordsPhalanx

New method of fighting that united citizens regardless of class and out defense in the hands of ordinary citizens

Changes in WarfareChanges in Warfare

The new types of warfare led the two most influential city states to develop different ways of lifeSparta

Stressed stern discipline

AthensGlorified the individual and gave more political rights to more citizens

Sparta: A Nation of SoldiersSparta: A Nation of Soldiers

Government two kings and a council of Elders who advised the KingAn assembly made up citizens approved major decisionsCitizens were male, native born Spartans over 30Assembly elected five ephors who held the real power and ran day to day affairs

Sparta: A Nation of SoldiersSparta: A Nation of Soldiers

Spartan SocietyEstablished themselves as a military stateAt age 7 boys began training for life in the militaryGirls also had a disciplined upbringing because they were expected to produce strong males

Athens: The Beginnings of DemocracyAthens: The Beginnings of Democracy

First place democracy (government by the people) takes root

Starts off as a monarchy and then develops into an aristocracyDiscontent spreads amongst citizens and the merchants and soldiers begin to resent the power of the nobles and demand more rightsAs discontent spread Athens moved slowly towards a democracy


SolonWise and trusted leader who outlawed debt slavery and freed those slaves who had been sold into slavery to pay off debts opened public office to more citizens by loosening restrictions on citizenship and gave the Assembly more decision making power. Reforms ensured fairness and justice but citizenship was still limited and government positions were only open to wealthy landowners


Because government positions were only open to the wealthy landowners tyrants (leaders who gain power by force) started to emergeThey won the support of merchants and the poor by promising to make their lives betterPisistratus

Gave famers/poor citizens a greater voice


CleisthenesBrought about a democracy in AthensBroadened role of citizensCreated Council of 500 (legislature) whose members were made up of male citizens where they could debate laws before deciding whether to accept of reject themCitizens could bring charges against anyone who did them wrong

PEOPLE DECIDED THE LAWS THAT WOULD GOVERN THEM

Athens: The Beginning of a DemocracyAthens: The Beginning of a Democracy

By modern standards Athenian democracy was quite limitedOnly male citizens could participate in governmentWomen had no role in public life

Check for UnderstandingCheck for Understanding

Briefly describe Ancient Greece? What were the name of the

two cities that emerged and what

were they like?

Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C.Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C.

Pericles believed all male citizens regardless of wealth or social class should be involvedAthenians practiced direct democracy where over 6000 Assembly members would meet and decide mattersAthens began to pay a salary to men who held office allowing poor men to serveJury was established

Age of PericlesAge of Pericles

“Our plan of governmentfavors the many instead of the few; that is why it is called a

democracy.”~ Pericles


Pericles hired the best architects and sculptors to rebuild the Acropolis that had been destroyed when Greece was attacked by PersiaAlthough religion was important Greek thinkers start to think there are also natural laws not everything is run by GodPericles surrounded himself with such thinkers, and writers and artists transforming Athens into the cultural center of Greece


The Peloponnesian WarSparta wanted to end Athenian domination of the Greek worldPower struggle between Athens and SpartaFought for 27 yearsSpartans captured Athens ending Athenian domination of the Greek world. Athens survived as a cultural center but democracy suffered and soon corruption took over

Moral and Ethical PrinciplesMoral and Ethical Principles

Greek philosophers became concerned with the idea of goodness and established standards for human behaviorSophists

Questioned tradition and “accepted” ideasSaid moral and ethical truths were just opinions and that success was more importantTaught the art of persuasion

Greek Contributions to Political Thought

Greek Contributions to Political Thought

ThenEach year an assembly

of citizens elect 3 nobles to rule them

All citizens participatePower in the hands of

the peopleDivided government

power

NowVoting for government officialsAll citizens voteJury dutyPeople have power3 branches of government

Make lawsCarry out lawsJudge, settle disputes

Education

The city states of greece