1. The Greek Polis

2. Greek Polis- “city-state”
Greek Cities
People of the Greek Cities
Citizens had political rights and a responsibility of civic participation in their governments
Women were not citizens and had no political rights
Foreigners had no political rights
Slaves had no political rights

3. Greek Polis Rise of the Greek City-state
Mycenaeans form the first major city-state, or polis
Dorians come later and Greece declines
Around 750 BC, the polis reforms and people are more connected to their community than their country

4. Greek Polis The Greek City-state (The Polis)
Made up of the main city and its surrounding countrysides (villages)
Usual size ranged from square miles
Usually had less than 20,000 people
The center of the city was the acropolis- the public center
Usually located on a hilltop or mountain
Fortified with stone walls for protection
Was the place for male citizens to conduct business and talk

8. Greek Polis Ways to Rule the Greek Polis Different Government Options
Monarchy- ruled by a King
Aristocracy- ruled by a small group of landowning people
Oligarchy- ruled by a few powerful people
Was created when merchants/artisans disliked the rule of the aristocracy
They decided to rule together instead
Representative governments began in a few cities

9. Greek Polis Protecting the Polis
Armies used to protect the polis, citizens were expected to make up the army
Weapons of the Greek armies
Early armies used bronze weapons, only the rich could afford them
Iron weapons were then invented, iron was cheaper and stronger
Footsoldiers become the new style of fighting instead of chariots etc.
Equipped with an iron spear and long shield
Footsoldiers would standing next to each other
Phalanx- long lines of soldiers line up for battle
Considered to be the most powerful fighting force in the ancient world