Ch 4 2 2 Governing the CityStates Governing

Ch. 4 -2 -2 Governing the City-States

Governing the City. States • Polis = major city or town and surrounding area • Cities are two levels – Acropolis- high city • Temples dedicated to the gods – Lower city • Homes, marketplace, public buildings • Small population • Male landowners held all power

Types of Government Evolve • Monarchy – Kings, with hereditary rule • Aristocracy – Power by landholding elite • Oligarchy – Hands in small wealthy elite – More a group

New Warfare Methods Shape Greece • 650 B. C. Iron replacing Bronze • Phalanx was created – Massive tactical formation of heavy armed foot soldiers

Sparta: A Warrior Society • Dorian invaders from the north • Built the city of Sparta • Turned conquered people into helots (state-owned slaves) • All citizens approved major decisions • Citizens were native-born Spartans over the age of 30 • Elected 5 ephors to run day-today stuff

Daily Life Ruled by Discipline • Learned from childhood to be part of the military • At age 7 began training – Moved into barracks – Crazy diet – Exercise – Discipline – Encouraged to steal food • Caught, beaten severely

Daily Continued • Age 20 could marry – Another 10 years in the barracks – Eat there for 40 more years – After age 30, became part of the assembly

Women of Sparta • Expected to produce sons • Had to exercise and strengthen the body • Had to obey fathers and husbands • Had right to inherit property

Sparta Stands Alone • Looked down on trade and wealth • Little arts or new ideas • War, war, and war.