1. Ancient Greek Government and Society

2. City-States (Polis)
Because the geography of Greece is so mountainous, many settlements were separated from one another.
Over time these settlements became known as cities to the people who lived in them.
Each city had its own army, and its own money. They each even had their own government.
City-state – an early city that was like a small, independent country with its own laws and government.

3. Forms of Government Monarchy- rule by one hereditary ruler
Within the city-states that were throughout the country, four forms of government developed.
Monarchy- rule by one hereditary ruler
Oligarchy- rule by a small group of people
Tyranny- rule by a cruel and oppressive government or rule.
Democracy- rule by citizens

4. However, their governments were very different.
Athens and Sparta were probably the two most famous and powerful city states in Ancient Greece.
However, their governments were very different.

5. Government of Athens
Governed with a Democracy. They were the first to ever do this. Although, not all people could participate (women, slaves and foreigners had no political rights).
*Only citizens (free adult males) had the right to participate in the government.*
Council of 500: (direct democracy- not representative democracy)
Met everyday
Debated laws and business
Chosen from a drawing and served one year.
Assembly:
6,000 had to be in attendance
Met every 10 days
Voted on laws : yes / no
Greek democracy became the foundation of modern democracy.

6. Origins of Athenian Democracy
About 622BCE, a tyrant named Draco created a written legal system and a court to enforce his laws. Draco’s court gave out harsh punishments for even minor offenses. Today we use the word draconian to describe laws that are unnecessarily harsh or unjust.
In 594BCE, Solon became the leader of Athens. Solon repealed Draco’s harshest laws assembled a group of ordinary citizens to vote on how Athens was to be governed. The Assembly gathered forty times a year and was open to all male citizens with at least two years of military service.

7. Government of Sparta Governed with an Oligarchy:
2 kings inherited power
28 council of Elders-elected
Assembly was made up of male citizens
Very little power was given to the assembly

8. Athens and Sparta were also very different in the role of boys and girls in society.

9. Athens: Boys vs. Girls Boys:
Up to 6- taught at home- mother or slave tutor
6-7 – school-reading, writing, math, literature
Good citizens was most important=purpose of education!
18 – military school/after went to private schools to learn to debate and public speaking
Girls
Girls were not regarded as important by the Athenians.
Girls could be taught at home. (if they had rich parents)
Girls were not allowed to take part in anything to do with war, business or education.
Had to be escorted
Few rights
Not citizens

10. Sparta: Boys vs. Girls Boys:
Age 7 – went to military school for training for army
Health and strength most important.
Unhealthy babies left to die
At age 20, given a test of strength and leadership- if passed became a citizen
Girls:
Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors.
Although they were not allowed to fight, girls took part in all the training because fit ladies produced fit babies, who would fight!

11. Athens v Sparta
Athens and Sparta had very different ways of living their lives.
Athens wanted to control as much land as possible and this led to much war between Greek lands. Powerful navy
Sparta, although more powerful kept itself to itself unless their army was needed. Powerful Army

12. Athens vs. Sparta ATHENS SPARTA Politically (government and military)
Socially

13. Athens or Sparta? Which was better?