1. A Tale of Two City-States: ATHENS71

2. Objectives
SWBAT understanding the foundations and traditions of ancient Athenian society.
Students will examine how a primary artifact reflects the values of a society.

3. Do Now
Have you ever known anyone who was too smart for their own good?

4. What was Athens?
Athens began as a small mountain village around the year 800 BCE.
By 430 BCE, Athens was a city of over 150,000 people, governing an empire of colonies from Present-day Italy to present-day Turkey.
For a century, Athens was the greatest naval power in the Mediterranean world.

5. What did it mean to be Athenian?
Athens took pride in its democracy and its cultural heritage.
Athenians were expected to participate in government as a civic duty.
They believed their trade and cultural achievements made Athens the greatest city-state in all Greece—especially greater than Sparta.

6. What did it mean to be Athenian?
Boys were taught reading, writing, mathematics, music, poetry, sports and gymnastics.
Wealthier boys learned philosophy, ethics and rhetoric.
All males received military training along with a classical education.
Even foreigners and slaves received a basic education.

7. What did it mean to be Athenian?
Athens produced a rich legacy in the arts and sciences.
Theater was invented in Athens.
Art, science, philosophy, literature, medicine and all learning was greatly valued.

8. Athenian Democracy
Athens developed their government, known as a democracy, around 500 BCE.
Democracy comes from the Greek words “demos” (people) and “kratios” (rule or govern)
Athens had a direct democracy: All male citizens had the right-and duty-to participate in government.

9. Democracy of Ancient Athens – 450 BCE
GENERALS (STRATEGOS)
Ten citizens with military experience elected by the Assembly.
Often served for over one year during wartime.
Had special powers.
PRYTANY
Committee of 50 men who managed the work of the Boule.
Elects the Assembly speaker who keeps order at the Assembly meetings.
COUNCIL OF 500 (BOULE)
50 men from each of Athens’ 10 tribes.
Elected every year by the Assembly.
Administered Laws passed by the Assembly.
Its leader changed daily.
Each citizen can only be elected twice to the Boule in their lifetime.
JURY COURTS (HELIAEA)
6000 citizens were chosen by lot from the Assembly.
Dealt with all crimes except murder.
MAGISTRATES (ARCHONS)
Elected every year.
Presided over Jury Courts
Had police powers over the polis.
ASSEMBLY (ECCLESIAE) – All citizens of Athens
Male adults born in Athens to Athenian parents.
Male adults born elsewhere to Athenian parents.
Met every 9 days on the Pynx, a hill at the foot of the Acropolis.
Debated and voted on all Athenian laws and policies.
Elected Council of 500, the generals , priests, judges and other officials.
PRIESTS (BASILEUS)
Nine citizens elected by the Assembly.
Special religious and administrative powers.
POLIS – Entire Population of Athens (about 150,000)

10. Athens – Social Classes
Citizens – Male members of the Assembly
Aristocrats – wealthy landowners.
Middle class – small farmers and shopkeepers.
Thetes – urban craftsmen and workers.
Metics – Immigrants from outside Athens.
Couldn’t own land, but could run businesses.
Slaves – Lowest, but not treated as harshly as other places.

11. Women in Athens
Women had no rights in Athenian society and were rarely seen outside the home.
Women were the property of their husbands and expected to care for the home.
Girls received little, if any formal education.

12. Activity – Pericle’s Funeral Oration
Today you will read a piece of a famous speech by the Athenian general and politician Pericles.
Each person will select a paragraph from the speech to analyze.
Use the worksheet to guide you through the process.

13. Conclusions
Based on the speech, what kind of people were the Athenians?
What characteristics of Athens or its people would a Spartan hate? Why?
Does the speech accurately define what it is to be Athenian? Why/Why not?