Ancient Greece Chapter 5 Section 2

The Polis Polis – a city state where most politics occur Every city had a fortified hill with a monument to a god and at the bottom was the agora, where political decisions were made Citizen – a person who took part in Greek government, policies and laws

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens 1. Could vote 2. Hold office 3. Own property 4. Speak for themselves in court RESPONSIBILITES Must serve in government Must protect Polis in time of war

Makings of a Democracy?!? Greek people had some rights that U.S. citizens have today Who didn’t have these rights??? Slaves and foreign born people Men without land Women

Trade Greeks bartered goods until 600 B.C. Switched to a money economy = boomed their sea trade Pottery, olives, wine, purple dye and grain were all major exports

Political & Social Change By 750 B.C. Greek kings lost power to rich aristocrats Aristocrats – members of the nobility Common people lost land to Aristocrats when they couldn’t pay debts Became sharecroppers and even sold themselves into slavery

Tyrants Tyrant – when a person takes over the polis and rules single-handedly Tyranny – the rule of a cruel and unjust person Greek city-states were ruled by either an oligarchy or a democracy

Democracy Democracy – power lies in the hands of all the citizens Athens was most famous for this type of government in Greece

Four Most Successful Leaders of Athens Brought Change to the Athenian Government!

Solon Canceled all land debts and freed debtors from slavery to improve economic conditions

Draco Issued an improved yet harsh code of laws on aristocrats Never misinterpreted by aristocrats, because they were written down

Cleisthenes Made council of 500 – where an assembly of 500 men voted and made decisions for Greece

Peisistratus Divided large estates among landless farmers Extending citizenship to men who did not own land

Athens’s Government Athens, unlike Sparta, gradually expanded its definition of citizenship to encompass more people By 507 B.C., the constitution, or plan of government, of Athens stated that all free, Athenian-born men were citizens regardless of what class they belonged to

Sparta and Athens The two leading city-states in ancient Greece were Sparta and Athens. Though their citizens participated in polis government, they differed greatly in their values, cultures, and accomplishments.

Oligarchy Oligarchy - where a few wealthy people hold power over a large group of people Sparta was most famous for this type of government in Greece

Sparta’s government Two kings, who ruled jointly, officially ruled Sparta. However, the real power was in the Assembly–a decision-making board made up of all men over the age of 30

Sparta Instead of founding overseas colonies, the Spartans invaded neighboring city-states and enslaved the local people.

Around 650 B.C. the helots – Sparta’s slaves - revolted against the Spartans After taking 30 years to suppress the revolt, Spartan rulers decided to establish a military society Shunned philosophy, science, and the arts The Spartans, however, were exceptional Olympic athletes, and soldiers

A Military Society All life in Sparta revolved around the army At birth government officials inspected newborns to see if they were healthy; unhealthy babies were taken and left on a hill to die At the age of 7, Spartan boys were taken from their homes to start training At 20, men became soldiers 30, men were expected to marry 60, they could retire from the army

Role of Women Spartan women were raised to be healthy and strong The women of Sparta married at age 19, which increased the likelihood of having healthy babies No rights in government

The Persian War In 546 B.C. the Persian armies, led by Cyrus II, conquered the Greek city-states of Ionia in Asia Minor In 499 B.C., the Ionians revolted against the Persians but were put down by Darius I of Persia. Darius then decided to attack the mainland of Greece

Main Battles of Persian War Battle of Marathon – Greek Victory Battle of Thermopylae – Persian Victory Battle of Plataea Persian Victory Battle of Salamis - Greek Victory

Aftermath of Persian War Athens became wealthy Formed the Delian League – alliance of Greek city states against Persians Pericles builds the Parthenon Sparta becomes jealous of Athenian power – PELOPONESIAN WAR BEGINS