1. The Polis: Government in Greece

3. Polis Greek term for a city-state
Each had its own laws, army, government, and money
Included the city and the surrounding farmland

4. Greek Polis Coins
Eboea
Syracuse
Athens
Larissa
Naxos
Corinth

5. Hellas Ancient term for Greece
Not a unified country, but an area of city-states with the same language and many cultural similarities

6. Citizenship Free (not a slave) Adult Male From that city-state
Had civic duties and rights in Ancient Greece

7. Voiceless Slaves Women Children Metics (Foreigners) #unfair!
What the heck!?
You're tellin’ me!

8. Athens Went through 4 stages of government
Monarchy to Oligarchy to Tyranny to Democracy
Most other city states just went through the first 3

9. Pandora Radio
Why might Pandora Radio be named after this Greek myth?

10. Monarchy One king One prince 5 Aristocrats
King gets to pick the Pandora station
Aristocrats can offer advice but king does not have to listen
Prince gets to pick the Pandora station

11. Monarchy in Greece
2000 BCE to 800 BCE most city-states had a hereditary monarchy
Definition: Power in the hands on one king
Monos: alone, -arkhein: to rule
Power passes through the family line
Kings made laws, acted as judges, and conducted religious ceremonies
Councils of aristocrats to advise but had little real power
Aristocrats: literally “the best men” the rich, landowning upper class

12. Debrief Subjects: how did you feel during the round?
King and prince, how did you feel?
What are the advantages of a monarchy?
Disadvantages?
Why do you think it was the first form of government in Ancient Greece?

13. Oligarchy 3 Aristocrats (have the most musicians in family)
You have the power to choose the music based on your birth
5 Middle Class people (take a music class)
You wish to become oligarchs
You represent wealthy and talented citizens
Middle Class people have no power to choose the radio station

14. Oligarchy In Greece
By 800 BCE most city-states were ruled by a small group of wealthy men called oligarchs
Definition: Power in the hands of a few people
Oligoi: ‘few’ + arkhein: ‘to rule.’
Most oligarchs were aristocrats who had inherited land from their families, some were wealthy merchants
Oligarchs tended to ignore the needs of the poor
Many of their laws protected themselves and their wealth
Eventually, the poor turned to leader who would help them

15. Debrief Ordinary Citizens: How did you feel during this round?
Aristocrats? Middle Class?
Who makes the decisions in an oligarchy?
What are the advantages of oligarchy?
What are the disadvantages?
Why do you think a pattern of monarchies replaced by oligarchies developed?

16. Tyranny 1 tyrant Tyrant gets to pick the Pandora station
Tyrant can choose to listen to the class or ignore them

17. Tyranny In Greece
During the mid-600s BCE people in many city-states were turned to men who promised change called tyrants
Definition: Power in the hands of someone who seized it illegally
Unlike a monarchy because
Tyrants have no legal authority to rule
Tyrants sons do not usually inherit power
Usually take power by force and have a military background
Promised people more rights
Some did well by the people, some ruled as evil dictators

18. Debrief Ordinary Citizens: How did you feel during this round?
Aristocrats? Middle Class? Tyrant?
Who makes the decisions in a tyranny?
What are the advantages of tyranny?
What are the disadvantages?
Why do you think a pattern of oligarchies replaced by tyrannies developed?

19. So that’s why I’m so evil…
Famous Tyrants: Draco
Oligarchy didn’t last b/c laws were not written down & could be changed at any time
In 621 BC, Draco was appointed to codify (write down) the laws.
Unpopular because he made new laws that were extremely harsh AKA “Draconian”
Death was the penalty for even minor crimes, like stealing vegetables.
Unequal treatment based on class
Murder now punished by the state instead of blood feud
So that’s why I’m so evil…

20. Famous Tyrants: Solon 594 BC Threw out almost all of Draco’s laws
Needed a balance between the rich & poor.
The poor could be sold into slavery if they were in debt to an aristocrat.
The aristocrats wanted to prevent revolution & keep their $ (& their lives).
Ended debt slavery

21. Democracy Only people with citizen cards can vote
Citizens can debate the station
Whichever station has the most votes wins

22. Democracy in Athens
Around 500 BCE the people of Athens developed democracy
Demos: people –cracy: rule of

23. Democratic principles
Direct democracy: every citizen can vote
Public Debate
Duties of the Citizen

24. Assembly
Assembly: a group of citizens in ancient Athens with the power to pass laws, any citizen could attend
Public Debate: Laws could be discussed here
Downsides:
A persuasive speaker could convince people to vote unwisely
Assembly reversed decision often
Slow to make a decision

25. Duties of the Citizen Pay taxes Serve in the military
Vote in the Assembly
Red Rope: During the late 5th century B.C. Athens employed slaves to round up citizens to attend the public assembly. They carried between them a rope dipped in red paint. If a person tried to resist going to the assembly they were sure to get caught in the rope and have red paint on their clothes. Anyone who had red paint on their clothes at the assembly would not get paid for their attendance.

26. Ostracism
a procedure under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years.
It was used as a way of neutralizing someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant.
Ostraka: pieces of pottery that were used as ballots