Chapter 8 The Early Greeks

1. Chapter 8 The Early Greeks Lesson 3 Greek City-States

2. Objectives • Explain the relationship between Greece’s geography and the development of Greek city-states • Trace the development of early forms of democracy and citizenship

3. Vocabulary • Polis – city state • Acropolis – fort at the bottom of a hill • Agora – political center for each city-state • Oligarchy – rule by a few • Tyrant – someone who took control of a government by force and ruled alone • Democracy – rule by the people • Commerce – large scale trade • Colony – independent city-state tied to the homeland through religion and trade

5. Rise of City-States • By 750 BC, large settlements had grown into independent city-states such as Sparta, Athens, Argos and Corinth • Mountains and seas separated the city-states, causing them to develop independently • The English word “politics” comes from “polis” • In a polis all free people were citizens • The city-states developed in similar ways, most starting at the base of an acropolis

6. The Rise of City- States • Natural barriers kept the city-states from uniting and led to their growing independently of each other

7. New Ways of Governing • As city-states developed, oligarchies replaced the rule of kings • Then tyrants took over many city-states • By 500 BC early forms of democracy were beginning to replace tyrants in some city-states • What caused some tyrannies to transition, or change, into early democratic forms of government?

8. Quick Question • What caused some tyrannies to transition, or change, into early democratic forms of government? • Tyrants began to rule badly and the people overthrew them

9. What was Greek society like under an oligarchy? • Members of the oligarchy controlled most aspects of Greek society • However, they did nothing to improve life for the poor

10. Commerce and Colonies • By about 700 BC, the Greeks had become part of a growing commerce around the Mediterranean and beyond • As populations expanded, the city-states began to colonize areas beyond the Aegean • Trade among city-states: grain, wine, olive oil, wood, pottery, and metal such as iron and tools • The population began to rise leading to more competition for farmland • By 500 BC Greeks founded colonies in southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor (see map 291)

11. Quick Question • What economic and political advantages did colonization bring the Greeks?

12. Answer • What caused some tyrannies to transition, or change, into early democratic forms of government? • The economic advantages included new lands, resources, and expanded trade. • The political advantages included the spread of Greek power.

13. Greek Culture • While the ancient Greeks identified with their own city-states, they also felt a strong connection with all Greeks due to their common language and shared culture • Developed alphabet; first letter is alpha, second is beta  “Alphabet” • Greeks used writing to keep records of business, trade, laws and taxes • They wrote down their history and beliefs too • Wrote down Homer’s epics the Iliad and the Odyssey

14. Greek Culture • Writing helped preserve their culture for later generations • From the heroes of the Trojan War is where the Greeks learned their strong codes of honor and courage

15. Homer and Hesiod • Much of what later Greeks learned about their religion came from Homer and Hesiod • Their writings taught Greeks about gods and their names, appearance, special skills and how to honor them

16. Olympics • To honor the god Zeus, Greeks competed in athletic festivals beginning 776 B.C. • Competed every 4 years became known as Olympic Games • Athletes from all city-states came to compete • Events included: wrestling, long jumping, discus, javelin throwing, boxing and running • Winners were crowned with wreathes of olive leaves and were treated as heroes in their city-states

17. Fun Fact • Olympic games were a uniting force for the Greek city-states • Even when city-states were at war with each other, they laid down their weapons to compete in the games!

18. A New Kind of Warfare • Greek city-states often fought over land and resources • Each city-state had a large, highly organized army composed of adult male citizens who were trained to fight in new formations • A man’s wealth and status determined his rank • Wealthiest men were the leaders

19. Hoplite Warfare • Turn to page 294 in in textbook • Describe the special formation in which the hoplite soldiers fought. • Why might it have been difficult to defeat an army of hoplites?

20. Hoplite Warfare • Describe the special formation in which the hoplite soldiers fought. • The hoplite soldiers fought in a rectangular formation. They marched in long rows, fighting shoulder to shoulder with their shields nearly touching • Why might it have been difficult to defeat an army of hoplites? They marched forward like a thick, moving wall. They were very organized and equipped

21. Summary • Mountains separated the independent Greek city-states • City-states were active in commerce and developed new forms of warfare and government, including democracy • Across the city-states, the Greeks shared a strong cultural connection with one another