1. Profiling a “polis”

2. The Greek City-State Polis – the Greek word for a city-state.
Started as a fort, the city grew up around it.
Ancient Greeks were loyal to their polis.
Represented Greek identity
Each polis was independent and self-sufficient.
Competed economically and politically.

3. The Greek City-State (cont.)
Characteristics:
Covered a small area of land
Most had a population of fewer than 10,000 people (most were slaves)
Only free adult males had rights (were citizens)
Original fort was built on an acropolis (hill)
Temples were also built on the acropolis.
Each city-state had an agora (marketplace).

4. The Greek City-State (cont.)
Agora:
Main public meeting place
Citizens met to discuss issues here
Greeks placed great value on independence for each city-state.
Own government, laws, calendar, money and system of weights and measurements.

5. The Greek City-State (cont.)
Similarities:
Spoke same language
Non-Greeks were barbarians (uncivilized)
Shared same religious ideas, same holidays and participated in festivals together.