Archaic Greece
- monarchies
- hereditary rulers: 750 -500 BC
- 800B.C. – 480B.C
- geography = numerous city-states
- ^ frequent skirmishes
- ^ frequent fighting = invasions from outsiders
- economy: seafaring trade
- ^ olive oil, wine, marble, timbre
- ^ brought back Phoenician alphabet and grains
- ~ 750 BC : overpopulation = scattering and colonization
- unique city-states = polis or poleis.
- main polis where the main urban city/marketplace was and the acropolis (high city) where the marble temples were. Ex. The Parthenon.
- free residents were referred to as citizens.
- Small population = less responsibility
- free men = a lot of free time
- Landowning males = political power
- Unequal rights within the population.
- noble landowners : Aristocracy
- ^ oligarchy takes power away from Aristocracy
- iron = cheap and durable