1. The Civilization of the Greeks Chapter 1 Section 2

2. Question  What is the best form of government and why?

3. 1. The Polis: Center of Greek Life  A. Polis  Similar to a City State  The town was the center of the polis where people met for political, social, or religious activities  B. Polis was made of 3 groups:  1) citizens with political rights (adult males)  2) Citizens with no political rights (women and children)  3) Noncitizens (slaves and resident aliens)  Citizens had rights with responsibilities  C. Tyrants  rulers who seized power by force

4.  Tyrants stayed in power with help from rich traders  They used soldiers to defend themselves and built many marketplaces, temples, and walls  The Greeks began to turn against the tyrants  4. Democracy and Oligarchy  Democracy = Rule by Many  Oligarchy = Rule by a few usually wealthy elite

5. 2. Sparta  A. Focus on Military  Boys were trained in military early  At age 20 they joined the military and could marry  By age 30, they could vote and live at home  B. Government  A council existed made up of two kings and 28 citizens over the age of 60  Five citizens were elected to supervise education and conduct in the polis  The council voted on issues

6. 3. Athens  A. Gov’t and Economy  Early, Athens was ruled by a king  Economic problems brought a crisis to Athens  Poor farmers could not pay their debts and were sold into slavery  B. Solon  Athenian aristocrats gave power to Solon in 594 B.C.  cancelled all land debts and released farmers from slavery

7.  C. Cleisthenes  In 508, came to power and brought democracy to Athens  Created The Council of 500 1) The council prepared legislature, debated it, and voted on it 2) This is called Direct Democracy  D. Perecles  Paid salaries to people in public office  Art and architecture flourished under Pericles

8. 4. The Greek Love of Wisdom  A. Philosophy  Love of wisdom  B. Socrates  Believed that education had no other goal than improving human understanding  “The unexamined life is not worth living”  C. His teaching method is known as the Socratic method (question and answer)

9. 5. Plato  A. The Republic  Believed that Greek society was too unruly in a democracy  B. The Ideal State  1) Philosopher Kings would rule because they were wise  2) Warriors would protect society  3) The masses who were driven by their desires  Plato also believed that men and women should have access to all positions in society

10. 6. Aristotle  A. Scientific Classification  He focused on analyzing and classifying things based on observation and investigation  B. Government Beliefs  3 good forms of government: Monarchy, Aristocracy, and constitutional government  He thought constitutional government were the best

11. 7. The Greeks and Western Civ  A. Greeks were the principal source of western culture  B. The rational method of questioning was introduced by the Greeks  C. Our government is derived from the Greeks