Greek Government & Law

Focus Points Development of Greek Democracy Characteristics of Greek Society Contrasting Athenian and Spartan cultures

Law & Government Glossary autocracy tyranny oligarchy aristocracy Direct democracy Representative democracy monarchy republic

What was so special about the Greeks?

How did Geography shape Greek Life? The Sea The Land The Climate Your conclusions – How did geography lead to the formation of city states instead of a united central government?

Early Greece: Minoan Civilization Evidence suggests that Minoan civilization was well developed by around 2000B.C. Crete (soil unsuitable for many crops – trade by sea widely, including with Mycenae) Was influenced by civilizations of Nile Valley & Fertile Crescent but developed many unique features – frescoes, carved figures in bronze, ivory, gold, Form of writing called Linear B (early form of Greek)

Minoan Fleet

Early Greece: Mycenaean Civilization Early Indo-European settlers arrived on the Greek Mainland around 2000 B.C. settled in southern Greece Built fortified cities: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos - Mycenae was fortified by a wall more than 20ft thick Rulers controlled the surrounding areas.Mycenaean Kings dominated Greece 1600 – 1100 B.C. Adopted many elements of Minoan culture Trojan War 1200’s B.C. – 10 year war with Independent Anatolian trading city Troy

Reconstruction of Mycenae

Early Greece: Dorians Invade Both Mycenaean & Minoan civilizations weakened by earthquakes By 1200 B.C all major Mycenaean cities destroyed New migrating tribes (Dorians) arrive Less advanced – “Greek Dark Age” Dorians appear to have been illiterate. No written record exists between 1150-750 B.C. Until Phoenician traders introduced an alphabet around 750 B.C.

Development of City-States 800’s-700’s B.C. By 750 B.C. the method of governing areas had changed from tribal to more formal governments (city-states or POLIS) Grew around fortified hilltops POLIS: Greek city-state – the fundamental political unit of ancient Greece after about 750 B.C. POLIS: Fort, the city and the surrounding land

Shared Features of City-States 30-500 square miles Small population (most fewer than 10,000) Only free adult men had all rights of citizenship Women were considered citizens without political rights Citizens gathered at the AGORA (marketplace) or on a fortified hilltop ACROPOLIS to discuss city government Spoke the same language Shared many religious ideas Greek myth that all Greeks were descended from Hellen (Hellenistic) Festivals such as Olympic Games brought them together

Why were the Greeks Special? Create your own A3 poster showing the contributions of Greek Civilization This is intended to introduce you to the scope of Greek contributions (in summary - why we are studying Greek civilization) and some key individuals that we will look at in more detail later. Make this as attractive as you can – use bullet points notes, representative diagrams/symbols and pictures from internet.

City- State Political Structures Greek City-States had different structures Monarchy, Oligarchy, Tyrants Using the handout create a mind map for each of these within the Greek context

The Rise of Athens Watch the film and answer the questions to learn about the growth of Athens and the path to democracy MP3 files are loaded on Forum

Social Structure in Athens under the Aristocracy Aristocrats: Archons (9 rulers each serving a 1 yr), Judges (unwritten laws) Citizens All adult male citizens met in an assembly whenever necessary and elected Archons Metics (non-citizens) Slaves

How did democracy develop in Ancient Greece? Cleisthenes – noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family 508 B.C. overthrew tyrants and made sweeping changes that turned Athens into a limited democracy Divided tribes into 10 clans, subdivided into local governments (DEMES) Clans each chose 50 members of Council of 500 – by lot Members served 1 year – 2 term limit Jurors also chosen by lot (from citizens)

How did Pericles change Athens? Pericles’ changes How this strengthened democracy and Athens Increased the number of public officials that were paid salaries Use pp134-135 of the handout Time limits on holding office Introduction of Direct Democracy Hold and strengthen the Athenian Empire Glorification of Athens Using pp13-135 of the handout

Athenian Government & Law (checks and balances) Citizen Assembly (the parliament) (Male landowners All Freemen) Archons (Advisors) Council of 500 Aereopagus (criminal law court, made up of former archons) (the government) citizens (30+) 1 year term 2 term limit paid chosen by lottery. Court of Appeals Questions: How did Pericles extend democracy? How did paying people to attend the Assembly help democracy? Why do you think there were time limits on holding office? What do you think ‘checks and balances’ are?

Athenian Government & Law 8th century Monarchy 7th century Oligarchy 6th century Tyranny 5th century Democracy 621 BC Draco 560 BC Pisistratus the Tyrant 507 BC Cleisthenes the Democrat 594 BC Solon the Reformer Citizen Assembly Male landowners Archons All Freemen Aereopagus Council of 500 Court of Appeals citizens (30+) 1 year term 2 term limit paid chosen by . . . Lottery

Age of Pericles Pericles was swept into power and broke up the Council of 500 Pericles changed the rules about who could participate in the new democracy It was not based on birth status or wealth, but on merit He changed the rules to be a citizen: both parents need to be Athenian Under Pericles the Assembly (all citizen males) became the central power in the state Many of the great Greek Tragedies and Comedies were written during this time period Built the Parthenon Focused on Democratic reform and the maintenance of the Empire Some say Athens wealth (due to Pericles) was the reason for Sparta’s disdain

Democracy in the Age of Pericles Dominated Athenian public affairs between 461B.C.- 429B.C. Great general, orator, and statesman The time of Athens’ greatest power and prosperity Democracy reaches its height (Direct Democracy) All male citizens could hold office (not just landowners) Officeholders received salaries Most offices were chosen by lot

Power to the People? Ostracism: the practice of banning people from Athens for 10 years 6000 citizens had to vote for ostracism Designed to prevent civil unrest and civil war Athenians feared too much power in the hands of one or a few people However, whilst ordinary people were now more able to participate in public affairs… Women did not hold full citizenship. Athens still supported by slavery In fact some historians would suggest that about 75% of people in Athens were not considered full citizens

End of Democracy in Greece Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 B.C) weakened all of Greece At the end of the war a group of Oligarchs led a revolution to seize power (supported by Sparta) Ruled for one year before being overthrown by democratic principles Democracy flourished for another 80 years until Alexander the Great conquered Greece in 322 B.C. Romans extinguished democracy for good when they created their Republic

Democracy Who were the founding fathers of democracy? What are the characteristics of Athenian democracy? Draw a diagram or cartoon to that would help someone understand the main elements of Democracy