The Greek CityStates 4 2 Center of Greek

The Greek City-States 4. 2

Center of Greek Life § Polis – Greek city-state and the center of Greek life § Our word politics comes from polis § Town where people met for political, religious, and social gatherings § Community of people with common identity and common goals § Acropolis – fortified area at the top of a hill used for refuge and religious center § Agora – open area below the acropolis used as a market

City-States § Aristotle argued “We must rather regard every citizen as belonging to the state. ” § Great loyalty to a city-state § Great distrust of other city-states – led to Greece downfall § Created the hoplites § Heavily armed infantry (foot) soldiers carrying a shield, short sword, and thrusting spear § March into battle in a rectangular formation to create a wall of shield - phalanx

Greek Colonies § Set out in search of trade and better farmland § New city-states independent from original § Led to increase of trade § Mainland exported pottery, wine and olive oil § Western areas exported grains and metals § Black Sea area exported fish, timber, wheat, metals, and slaves

Tyranny § Trade led to wealth and wealth led to tyrants § Not necessarily wicked; just took power by force § Most peasants supported because it got them out of debt § Tyrants took power then kept it by hiring soldiers. Built markets, temples, and walls. § Build support for the tyrant § Eventually led to democracy – government by the people § Tyrants couldn’t last but showed many people can be part of government § Also an oligarchy – government by a few

Sparta § The art of war was all the mattered – all other art was frowned upon. § Needed land so they conquered neighboring Laconians then Messenia § Turned them into helots – serfs from capture § Created a military state § Rigidly organized and tightly controlled § Ate simple meals all together § Black broth was a piece of pork boiled in animal blood, salt, and vinegar

Sparta Men v Women http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j. EIt. BM 1 dc 9 o Men § Forced into military at age 20. § Could marry but forced to live in barracks until 30 § Could vote at 30 and move home § Must stay in military until 60. Women § Freedom because they stayed at home without husbands § Must stay fit to bear children § Upheld strict Spartan values of war – taught sons to be brave.

Sparta government § Oligarchy led by two kings § Led men into battles § Ephors – 5 men elected each year § In charge of educating youth and conduct of civilians § Counsel of elders – the 2 kings and 28 male citizens over the age of 60 decided what issues would be brought to general public § Closed off from the rest of the world; did not like visitors and weren’t allowed to travel

Athens § Largest polis § At first ruled by king but then became oligarchy of aristocrats § Created an economic crisis and eventually gave up power to Solon – who freed peasants of all debts and tried to redistribute wealth but was unsuccessful § After several years Cleisthenes gained power and laid the groundwork for democracy § http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=u. Ly. W 5 UYPYYs

Assignment § Read answer the questions about Growing up Greek § When finished flip your answer sheet over and draw a line down the page § On one ½ draw what you think life in Sparta would look like on the other ½ draw what you think life in Athens would look like.