Roles of Government in Ancient Greece

Prior to 500 BCE (Before Common Era), the Greek communities in eastern Europe were ruled by monarchs. These rulers transferred the right to rule by family rule only. After 500 BCE the people living in the city of Athens started ruling themselves. They were sovereign! They formed one of the earliest democracies in the world.

Examples from Ancient Greece. The Athenians created their own government. At first, free males of Greek ancestry were the only citizens. All Greek citizens had to participate in their government in three ways: soldier, juror and legislator. You can thank the ancient Greeks for American politics! “Polis” is the Greek word for “town with wall” or a city-state. It is the root of our word “politics” today.

Military Athenian citizens served in their city-state’s military. These citizen- soldiers defended their polis and expanded their boundaries. This is a drawing of a Greek phalanx, an ancient battle technique.

Police, jails and courts. Athens paid men to arrest law breakers and to control their polis- called the police. Jails were operated. Citizens were chosen by lot to maintain the rule of law by listening to witnesses and rendering verdicts.

Necessary services The polis’ government provided needed services for their residents. It paid for the agora, or market place, (right) for residents to buy and sell goods. It also served as a meeting place to discuss city “politics”- issues affecting the power of citizens inside their city- state.

Write and enforce laws. The last role of government was to maintain institutions to write and execute laws. All citizens were required to participate in writing laws in the Greek Assembly! Greek Councils enforced the Assembly’s laws. Pericles (left), was an Athenian general and member of it’s Assembly.

The Government in communities includes their: Police, jails and courts; Military forces; Public employees and public works provide needed services to community members; and The legislative and executive institutions that write and execute laws.

American government establishes both domestic policy and foreign policy. What is the difference? Do we still have citizen-soldiers?

Please agree or disagree with this quote. 5 points total. Abraham Lincoln said “The role of government is to do for people what they cannot do for themselves.” Agree or disagree with this statement. Theory 2 points; example 3 points. Use one of the four roles used by the Ancient Greeks as your example.