Warring City States Chapter 5 Section 2

Rule and Order in Greek City States 750 B.C.E the city-state or polis was the fundamental political unit in Greece Polis: Made of city and surrounding countryside People would gather in the agora, (market place) or the acropolis to discuss politics

Political Structure City-states did not have all the same government Monarchy- ruled by single person- king Aristocracy-ruled by small group of noble, wealthy land owners Oligarchy- ruled by a few powerful people Democracy- ruled by the people

Political Structure In City-States Monarchy Aristocracy Oligarchy Direct Democracy State ruled by a king State ruled by nobility State ruled by a small group of citizens State ruled by its citizens Rule is hereditary Rule is hereditary and based on family ties, social rank, wealth Rule based on wealth or ability Rule is based on citizenship Some rulers claim divine right Social status and wealth support rulers’ authority Ruling group controls military Majority rule decides vote Practiced in Mycenae by 2000 B.C. Practiced in Athens prior to 594 B.C. Practiced in Sparta by 500 B.C. Practiced in Athens by 500 B.C.

Tyrants Take Control Why did Tyrants take control? Who were they? Tyrants were not cruel and harsh Tyrants came to power by appealing to the common people Actually when they took power tyrants often set up public works projects in order to give jobs to the poor

Athens builds a LIMITED Democracy Draco 621 B.C. Legal Code= both rich and poor equal under the law Dealt very harshly with criminals, making death the punishment for practically every crime. Debt slavery = debtors worked as slaves to repay their debts. Solon 594 B.C. Solon outlawed debt slavery. Four social classes according to wealth. Top three social classes could hold political office All citizens, could participate in Assembly Citizens could bring charges against wrongdoers

Athens Builds a Limited Democracy 500 B.C.E. Athenian leader Cleisthenes reforms Athenian law He arranged the citizens into groups based on where they lived, not social class Allowed any citizen to submit laws to be debated Only citizens were: free adult male property owners

Athenian Education Boys Girls Study: reading, grammar, poetry, history, math, and music Trained in debate and public speaking Spent time in athletics everyday Went to military school to prepare for important citizen duty------DEFEND ATHENS No school Stay at home Learned child rearing, weaving cloth, preparing meals, managing the house Most women had very little to do with Athenian life outside the home

Sparta Builds a Military State 725 B.C.E Sparta takes over neighboring lands and turns the Messenians into helots 650 B.C.E. the Messenians revolt and the Spartans are just barely able to put down the revolt In turn dedicate themselves to becoming strong city-state

Spartan Daily Life 600 – 371 B.C.E Sparta had greatest army in Greece Came with a high cost Spartans did not value the arts or intellectual pursuits Valued duty, strength, and discipline Men expected to serve in military until 60 Daily life centered around military training From age 7-30 lived in military barracks under harsh conditions

Spartan Daily Life: Women Women would lead a difficult life too Running, wrestling, playing sports Women also taught to put service to Sparta above all else “come back with your shield or on it” Given considerable freedom in the house when men were away at war