Ancient Greece Contributions to government 10 1 Greek

Ancient Greece Contributions to government 10. 1

Greek City States (Polis) Made up of a central city and surrounding countryside ◦ Fewer than 20, 000 residents ◦ Citizens met at the ACROPOLIS, or fortified hilltop to conduct business

Political Ties to Geography Rocky land = hard to travel= difficult to form a single government City-State (or Polis) formed individual governments People gave political loyalty to local communities Causing frequent wars between groups City-States/Polis in Greece 50 -500 square miles 20, 000 residence Men met at places like the Acropolis to discuss business

Greek Political Structure MONARCHY – One ruler makes all of the decisions ARISTOCRACY – Ruled by a small group of rich people and their families OLIGARCHY – Ruled by a group of the most powerful citizens

ATHEN’S LIMITED DEMOCRACY Tried to create a DEMOCRACY (rule by the people) - only free adult males were considered citizens - Women, slaves and foreigners had few rights Greek lawmaker named “DRACO” developed the first written code of laws “CLEISTHENES” created the Council of 500 – proposed laws and counseled the assembly - allowed Athenian citizens to participate in a limited democracy - Only 1/5 th of the people of Athens were citizens

DEMOCRACY AND THE GOLDEN AGE “PERICLES” was a skilled politician in Athens with 3 goals 1. Create a stronger democracy by introducing a “DIRECT DEMOCRACY” were the citizens rule directly not through representatives 2. To strengthen the ATHENIAN EMPIRE by building a bigger navy to control the waterways and trade with other countries 3. Glorify Athens – by building huge buildings such as the PARTHENON. And promoting the arts, such as drama, sculpture, and music.

THE PHILOSOPHERS PHILOSOPHER – Lover of Wisdom, with so many uncertainties in the world these people thought that the universe could be explained through reason and logic. There were three main Philosophers: 1. SOCRATES : ◦ ◦ ◦ Forced people to think about their values and actions. He was put to death for corrupting the youth of the city. Believed absolute standards did not exist for truth or justice depended on the situation or person 2. PLATO: ◦ Wrote the book The Republic in which he laid out a perfectly governed society. ◦ Citizens fall into three natural groups Farmers and artisans Warriors Ruling class---only educated people 3. ARISTOTLE: ◦ ◦ Wrote the book Politics were he laid out how to argue according to the rules of logic. Questioned the nature of the world and human belief Questioned the form of government Taught Alexander the Great

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

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