1. Greek City-States

2. Polis

3. Polis: city-state basic political unit
Each polis was independent but shared characteristics:
-Acropolis hill in center of polis; fortified; chief god
-Agora public square at bottom of Acropolis where:
laws passed
politics/debate held
merchants; artisans
-Citizens
could vote
hold office
land owner
speak in court
Before 500 BC only male landowners could vote and be citizens
Only small percentage of Greeks were citizens

4. Acropolis of Athens

5. Agora of Athens
The focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural center, and the seat of justice.

6. Greek Colonies Needed colonies to provide grain
Each colony had a parent city
Parent city could concentrate on exports (cash crops, pottery)
More goods to sell meant more trading throughout Mediterranean Area

7. Political/Social Change
Aristocrats replaced kings as most powerful (700 BC)
Disputes arose between common people and aristocrats (650 BC)
Farmers needed loans -no repayment meant slavery; loss of land
Farmers became good foot soldiers (phalanx) -more important than cavalry (aristocrats)
Merchants/artisans joined with farmers
Unrest led to tyranny (one person takes control)
After 500 BC city-states became either an oligarchy (rule by wealthy -Sparta) or democracy (rule by citizens -Athens)

8. Phalanx