1. Interdependence Of The Greek city-states

2. Introduction • The Greek world was much influenced by politics. While other civilizations went on to settle onto a single form of government, the Greeks were still struggling between tyranny, monarchy, democracy, and much more. This is why, while other’s were forming empires , the Greek city states remained primarily independent. But sometimes the Greek city-states would join, (or be forced to join) an alliance. Apart from the few differences between city states, (the reasons city states might want to stay independent) There were many reasons the city states would not want to join an alliance. On the other hand though, the Greeks had a lot in common, and there were also many other factors that did favor the formation of an alliance.

3. Reasons for city-states to remain independent • There were many, such as terms of government, Athens and a number of cities that imitated her were democratic, while most of the other city-states had an aristocracy, oligarchy, or tyranny. There were also differences in social class, Sparta, for example, had a unique classification with Helots, Perioikoi and Spartiates sharing different privileges. While in Athens and the like every citizen had equal rights. There were also differences about the position of women in the social class. In Athens, women had almost no rights, while in Sparta, women had almost as many rights as the men did. Another reason a city-state might not want to join an alliance is for a fear of loss of identity. Especially the powerful city-states, because joining an alliance might mean loosing their dominance. Disputes also arose as to who should lead the alliance. And whether or not the others should obey that person if the consider them not superior enough to lead. Sometimes city-state specific, or even personal interests formed barriers in the making of alliances. Another reason that prevented the creation of an alliance is that one member of the alliance would act selfishly and abuse the resources of another member of the alliance. And later on in Greek history, leaders of alliances would not treat the members as equals but as subjects. And there was another reason, some city-states dependence on helots or slaves. This was one major reason for Sparta not to join an alliance. For Sparta feared that if they did, the number of helots would exceed their population and revolt. And the list goes on and on.

4. Reasons for Joining an Alliance • Alliances between the Greek city-states were not at all infrequent though. One thing that distinguished Greeks from non-Greeks was the language. Although it was spoken in several dialects, it helped give each of the city-states a sense of “Greekliness.” The Greeks also all shared the same religion. Another cause for alliance was for defense against the Persians. For example, if the Greeks had not allied during the Peloponnesian war, Athens, and the rest of The Greeks who were not part of the Peloponnesian liege would have been destroyed By the Spartans, Persians, and company. Another reason to form an alliance was to defend/attack another one. And also, when one alliance became to big and became a threat to other city-states, this was also a cause for even more alliances .

5. The consequences of being independent • The first positive consequence of being independent was the rise of the first democratic city-state. Athens. Athens democracy was much of what we think of as democracy today. • One of the less positive consequences of remaining independent is the rise to a Greek war machine. Sparta. Sparta’s “warly” way of life is evident from certain archeological findings.

6. Consequences of being allied • One Positive consequence of being allied was the economic rise of fifth century Athens and the rise of it’s strong navy. • Then the negative consequences were the imperialistic behavior of the city-states (Athens’ expedition to Sicily, Sparta’s expedition to Asia Minor as soon as the Peloponnesian War ended, Alexander’s expedition to the South and the East)

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