The Greek City-States

World History I

The Polis• By 750 BC, the polis, or city-state became the center

of Greek life.– The most important place in a polis was the acropolis, a

gathering place typically on top of a hill.– The acropolis served as a place of refuge and worship,

and was typically the location for public buildings.– Below the acropolis was the agora, which was a place for

people to gather and a market.• The polis was a group of people who shared an

identity and common goals.

Remains of the acropolis in Athens

The Polis, cont.• As the polis developed, so did a new military

system.– The military was based on hoplites, heavily armed foot

soldiers armed with a short sword and a spear.– They battled as a unit, marching shoulder to shoulder in

a rectangular formation called a phalanx.– As long as the phalanx stayed intact, it was difficult for

enemies to harm them.

Greek Phalanx

Greek Colonies• From 750 to 550 BC, many Greeks left the mainland

and settled throughout the Mediterranean.– Good farmland and trade allowed this.

• Colonies developed throughout the region.– Each became a new polis, and each polis was

independent.– Expansion led to increased trade.• Mainland Greece exported pottery, wine, and olive oil.• Metals and Grains came in from the west.• Timber, wheat, metals, and slaves came from the east.

Tyranny in the City-States• The development of trade led to a group of rich

men who wanted power.– Tyrants used force to seize power from aristocrats.– Tyrants gained and kept power by using hired soldiers.

• Although tyranny didn’t last, it brought the end of aristocratic rule in Greek city-states.– The end of tyranny led to more people participating in

government.– Democracy, or government by the people developed in

some city-states.– Other city-states were ruled by an oligarchy, or rule by

the few.

Sparta• When faced with the need for more land, the

people of Sparta conquered neighbors.– Their captives were forced to work for them as serfs

known as helots.– Sparta became a military state.• Its peoples lives were organized and tightly controlled.

– Males spent their childhood learning military discipline.• Served in army from age 20-60.• Lived at barracks until 30.

– Spartan women had greater freedom of movement and more power than other women in Greece.

Sparta, cont.• Sparta was governed by an oligarchy.– There were 2 kings who led the army into battle.– 5 ephors were responsible for the education of the

youth and conduct of citizens.• To protect their military state, Spartans turned their

backs on the outside world.– Visitors were discouraged and Spartans couldn’t travel

abroad.– Citizens were discouraged from studying the arts –

including philosophy and literature.

Early Athens• Athens was facing severe economic problems in the

7th century BC.– Farmers were being sold into slavery because they

couldn’t pay their debts.– Athenian aristocrats gave power to Solon in 594 BC.• Solon cancelled land debts and freed those who fell into

slavery.– Solon’s reforms were popular, but they didn’t solve all of

Athens’ problems.• After Solon’s rule, tyranny came to rule over Athens.

– The people of Athens rebelled and ended the tyranny in 510 BC.

Early Athens, cont.• After the Athenian people ended tyranny, they

backed Cleisthenes, another reformer.– Cleisthenes changed the government of Athens.• He established a council of 500 to supervise foreign affairs,

oversaw the treasury, and made laws.• He also established an assembly of men who had final

authority to pass laws after open debate.– The reforms of Cleisthenes set the stage for Athenian

democracy.