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Ancient Greece Themes 1 and 2. Life in the Polis. Infrastructure . Other Attributes. Polis, center of daily life, culture Greeks fiercely loyal to their polis Did not think of selves as Greeks, but as residents of their particular city-state. Polis built around high area, called acropolis
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Life in the Polis Infrastructure Other Attributes • Polis, center of daily life, culture • Greeks fiercely loyal to their polis • Did not think of selves as Greeks, but as residents of their particular city-state • Polis built around high area, called acropolis • Acropolis used as fortification • Included temples, ceremonial spaces • Agora, public marketplace, below • Shops, houses, temples near agora • Gymnasium, athletes’ training grounds, public bath • Sturdy wall for defense surrounded polis Theme 1: Government Greek City-States A new type of society emerged in Greece in the 800s BC. The society was centered on the polis, or city-state. Each polis developed independently, with its own form of government, laws and customs.
Political Systems of Greek City-States Each major polis had a different political system that developed over time. • Corinth, an oligarchy, ruled by a few individuals • Athens, birthplace of democracy • Sparta, oligarchy, one of mightiest city-states, but least typical, Militaristic
Beginnings Reform Draconian Laws • Athens, birthplace of democracy • Not always democratic city • First ruled by kings • Later ruled by aristocrats who had money and power • Most Athenians poor, had little power over lives • Gap between rich, poor led to conflict • Official named Draco reformed laws • Draco thought way to end unrest was through harsh punishment • Belief reflected in Draco’s laws • Harshness of laws worsened dispute between classes Athenian Democracy The prosperity of Athens was due in large part to its stable and effective government. That government was the world’s first democracy, a form of government run by the people.
Slavery For Debt Through the laws of Draco, those in debt could be made slaves -- but only if they were members of the lower class. Homicide Another result of the codification of laws by Draco -- and the only part that remained part of the legal code -- was the introduction of the concept of "intention to murder." Murder could be manslaughter (either justifiable or accidental) or intentional homicide. With the new law code, Athens, as a city-state, would intervene in what were formerly family matters of blood-feuds. Punishment Plutarch states: "It is said that Drakon himself, when asked why he had fixed the punishment of death for most offences, answered that he considered these lesser crimes to deserve it, and he had no greater punishment for more important ones." All his laws were repealed by Solon in the early 6th century BC, with the exception of the homicide law
Cleisthenes Cleisthenes considered the father of Athenian Democracy • Cleisthenes broke up power of noble families • Divided Athens into 10 tribes based on where people lived • Made tribes, not families, social groups, basis for elections • Each tribe elected 50 men to serve on Council of 500, proposed laws • Each tribe elected one general to lead Athenian army
The Nature of Athenian Democracy • As democracy, Athens ruled by the people, but not all people able to take part in government; only about 10 percent of total population • Only free male Athenians over age 20 who had completed military training allowed to vote • Women, immigrants, children, slaves had no role in government • Athenian Government • Those allowed to take part in government expected to: • Vote in all elections • Serve in office if elected • Serve on juries • Serve in military during war
Height of Democracy • Three Main Bodies • Athenian democracy consisted of three main bodies— • Assembly • Council of 500 • Courts • Assembly • Included everyone eligible to serve in government • All present voted on laws, all important decisions • Called direct democracy • Council of 500 • Created by Cleisthenes • Wrote laws to be voted on by full assembly • Courts • Complex series of courts • Members could number up to 6,000 • Chosen from the assembly • Heard trials, sentenced criminals
Combat School Women in Society • Boys taught physical, mental toughness by mothers until age 7 • Entered combat school to toughen for hardships of being soldier • At age 20 boys became hoplites, foot soldiers; remained in army 10 years before becoming citizens • Unusual among Greek city-states • Women played important role • Trained in gymnastics for physical fitness, to bear strong children • Women had right to own property, unlike women in most of Greece Militaristic State To support their military lifestyle, the Spartans demanded strength and toughness. All babies were examined after birth and unhealthy children were left in the wild to die. Sparta was led by two kings who served as military commanders. Decision-making was largely left to an elected council of elders. • War • Spartan emphasis on war not due to fondness for fighting, but as way to keep order in society • Helots or slaves outnumbered Spartans seven to one, kept in check by strong army
"Remember, boys, come back with your shield or on it!" Spartan hoplites c.600 BC
Worship Sacred Locations • Almost all Greeks worshipped same gods • Each polis claimed one god, goddess as special protector • Example: Athens sacred to Athena • Some locations considered sacred by all Greeks • Delphi sacred to all Greeks—priestesses of Apollo were thought to receive visions of future • Olympia—every four years Greeks assembled there for Olympic Games; athletes competed against each other to honor gods Theme 2: Religion Mount Olympus • 12 gods, goddesses were particularly influential in Greek lives • These 12 lived together on Mount Olympus, highest mountain in Greece • Olympian gods thought to have great power, though not perfect • Myths say gods flawed, often unpredictable—loved, hated, argued, made mistakes, got jealous, played tricks on each other
