Emergence of City-States

By the time Homer’s epics were composed each Greek community had begun to organize itself into a polis Polis= city state

The Polis A polis was a community with its own government – Governed the city as well as the surrounding villages and countryside Each polis had an agora or a marketplace and a government center Population was generally small

The High City A typical polis was usually built on two levels Acropolis= meaning “high city” was built on a high hill – Public buildings and temples – It also served as a fortress On lower ground were people’s homes, shops and farms

Politics in the Polis Each city-state had a different form of government In the early times the polis was governed by an aristocracy But in time the citizens began governing themselves – In most of the world priests and kings held all political power Unfortunately not everyone was considered a citizen of the city-state the lived in – Women, foreigners, and slaves could not participate in government

Pride in the Polis Citizens felt strong pride and loyalty towards their polis – Greeks believed that a good citizen should always be willing to sacrifice for his city “The polis was the frame work of Greek life” – If a polis was successful citizens consider themselves a success as well