Warring City-States Chapter 5 Section 2

Polis A Greek City-State. Remember a city state is like an independent country, it has its own rulers (gov’t), laws, religious beliefs, currency, etc.

Acropolis The city center of Athens, a fortified hilltop in the center of the city.

Monarchy A Form of Government where a King or Queen rules the country.

Aristocracy A Form of Government where a small group of nobility – (hereditary power) rule the country.

Oligarchy A Form of Government where a small group of elites rule the country (these “elites” don’t need to be members of the aristocracy - NOT HEREDITARY – YOU NEEDED TO EARN POWER - is generally more merit based).

Tyrant A ruler who seizes power by FORCE and keeps power by FORCE (usually through threats and intimidation – a bully)

Democracy A Form of Government where a the citizens of a state hold the power to govern themselves.

Cleisthenes An Athenian Aristocrat who helps to create the Direct Democracy of Athens by: 1) Reorganized society – Equal rights would be based on citizenship – not wealth (broke the power of the aristocrats/nobility). To be a citizen you had to have 1 Athenian parent, be male, and own property. 2) Any citizen can submit laws for debate & passage (this is called DIRECT DEMOCRACY). 3) Creates the Council of 500 – members chosen by lot.

Helot Peasants who were tied to the land they worked – they were not Free but could not be bought or sold (Serfs).

The Olympics An ancient Greek sporting event where male athletes from around the Greek World would compete in games lasting 5 days, took place every 4 years at Olympia.

Mt. Olympus A mountain in Northern Greece where it was believed the gods lived.

Phalanx A Greek military formation. Heavily armed foot soldiers (hoplites) were packed in tight formation and fought hand to hand with spear, sword, and shield.

Persian Wars 490 BC – King Darius of Persia tries to invade Greece at Marathon and is defeated by Athens. 480-479 BC – King Xerxes seeks to avenge his father’s defeat and invades Greece again, burning Athens to the ground but losing the war.

Themistocles Athenian General who planned the battle of Salamis where a larger Persian fleet was destroyed by the Greek Trireme Warships. Themistocles was a commoner who rose to power by his merit and skill.

Xerxes Persian Emperor/King who fought the Greeks in the 2nd Persian War 480 BC.

3. How does and Aristocracy differ from an Oligarchy? An Aristocracy is different from an Oligarchy because in an Aristocracy it is a person’s heritage or BIRTH status that matters most. In an Oligarchy rule is based on a few elite that have demonstrated their abilities through REAL success (merit matters most).

4. The Contributions of Solon & Cleisthenes Solon: any citizen can take part in the assembly, no debt slavery, society organized into 4 classes based on WEALTH. Cleisthenes: Wealth not longer matters, citizenship is key to power, Council of 500.

5. How did Athens benefit from victory in the Persian Wars? Athens now dominated the Aegean and Med. Seas with their ships (the Triremes) and so dominated TRADE. (= Money & Power) Athens entered into a GOLDEN AGE of prosperity.

6. Athens vs. Sparta Government of Athens = Direct Democracy – all male citizens over 18 expected to participate in council of 500 – chosen by lot. Sparta = Oligarchy – Ruled by 2 kings and a council of elders (60+ yrs old) Had to be 30 years old to be on Military council – chose the elders. Economy based on agriculture and trade, access to the sea made Athens a metropolitan culture with many influences from around the Mediterranean World Economy based on Agriculture and Tribute – conquered peoples, called Helots would have to pay the Spartans tribute in the form of a large portion of crops. Culture was organized around education and fine arts, plays, architecture & sculpture. Women were not allowed much freedom – had to be escorted by male relative outside the home. Military participation was mandatory but only for 2 years. Culture was centered around the military. Male boys started military training in a school called the Agoge at age 7. They were trained to ignore pain and to survive the wild on their own. Spartan women were expected to be able to command (run the estate while husband at war) and be physically fit.

7. The effect of ordinary citizens with powerful weapons: The ability of ordinary citizens to own high quality steel weapons changed the outlook of ordinary citizens because now they could contribute to the defense of the state and as such wanted more power to make governing decisions (democracy). Cheap but effective weapons = FREEDOM – this is why we have the 2nd amendment which guarantees citizens the right to bear arms. “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” US Constitution