Greek city-states

1. Introduction to the Greek City-States

• ●  Greek villages grew into independent city-states, called polis.

• ●  The two most famous city-states were Sparta and Athens, whose rivalry led to wars.

• ●  Geography influenced the organization and development of these city-states.

  2. Polis: The Center of Greek Life

• ●  A polis was a city-state made up of a central town or city and its surrounding countryside.

• ●  Key features included:

  • ○  Acropolis: A hilltop fortress used for protection and religious purposes.

  • ○  Agora: A marketplace and meeting place.

• ●  The polis varied in size and population. Most had a few thousand people.

• ●  Citizens had rights and responsibilities. However, only adult men had political rights;

  women, slaves, and foreigners did not.

• ●  Loyalty to individual city-states sometimes caused conflicts among them.

• ●  Warfare evolved with the introduction of hoplites, foot soldiers using a shield wall

  called the phalanx.

  3. Greek Expansion

• ●  Between 750–550 BC, Greeks left their homeland due to overpopulation, the need for farmland, and trade opportunities.

• ●  They established colonies throughout the Mediterranean and spread Greek culture and ideas.

• ●  Increased trade led to new wealth and tensions between the rich and ruling aristocrats.

  4. Tyranny in the City-States

• ●  Discontent with aristocrats led to the rise of tyrants—rulers who seized power by force.

• ●  Tyrants were supported by wealthy traders and poor farmers.

• ●  They helped improve cities through public works but were eventually rejected for

  defying the rule of law.

• ●  Their fall led to the development of democracy (rule by the people) in some

  city-states and oligarchy (rule by a few) in others.

5. Sparta

• ●  Sparta became a military state after conquering neighboring territories.

• ●  Life was strictly controlled:

  • ○  Men focused on military training and service until age 60.

  • ○  Women managed homes and were expected to stay fit for raising healthy

    children.

• ●  The government was an oligarchy with two kings and a council of elders.

• ●  Spartans avoided outside influences and prioritized military skills over arts or

  philosophy.

• 6. Athens

• ●  Athens evolved from a monarchy to an oligarchy dominated by aristocrats.

• ●  Reforms by leaders like Solon and Cleisthenes gradually addressed economic and

  political issues:

  • ○  Solon canceled debts and freed enslaved debtors but didn’t redistribute land.

  • ○  Cleisthenes introduced a council of 500 and gave citizens the power to vote on

    laws, laying the foundation for democracy.