Greek City States
Athens, Sparta and All Those Caught
Between Them
A Polis

Mainland Ancient Greece eventually became
controlled by several small city-states; called a polis
in ancient Greek.

These city-states were countries onto themselves.

Each polis consisted of a single city protected by a
wall and the surrounding countryside.

These cities would often have a high acropolis
(much like the Mycenaeans) within them and an
agora (market place).
Some of the Major City-States
Delphi
Athens
Olympia
Argos
Corinth
Sparta
Free Men – Citizens and Metics

City states had a group of people referred to as free
men (this included their wives and children).

In Athens free men fell into two groups called: citizens
and metics

A citizen was a free man, born to Athenian parents.

Citizens were the most powerful and privileged group
able to hold political office and serve in the army.

Metics were men born outside of Athens. They came
to Athens to trade or work. They paid taxes and could
serve in the army but could not work in government,
own land, or speak in a court of law.
Slaves

Slaves were the other common group of people in
Greek society.

Slaves were owned by free men, served as
labourers and had no legal rights.

Slaves were often lived closely with their owners
like members of the family but few were ever
granted their freedom.
Who Ruled?

In the beginning most states were governed by groups
of rich land owners known as aristocrats. This type of
government is called an aristocracy which means,
“rule by the important people.”

Other groups were ruled by a few select individuals.
These individuals were either appointed by people like
aristocrats or simply people who took the power. This
form of government was called an oligarchy which
means, “rule by the few.”

Finally, some people were prepared to let one
powerful person rule alone. This person was referred
to as a tyrant.
Athens

Athens went through many types of government.

A tyrant called Draco ruled in 621B.C. and he
created a set of strict laws where all crimes were
punishable by death.

In 594B.C. an aristocrat named Solon was given
power. He introduced many positive changes that
provided more food, protected the poor, and
granted citizens more say. However, he was forced
to step down.

In 508 B.C. an aristocrat named Cleisthenes took
power and changed everything.
Rule of the People

Cleisthenes created a new form of government
where the people had the right to form their own
government by voting.

This system of government was called a
democracy; from the word demos (people) and
kratos (rule).

Unlike Canada’s democracy only the male citizens
of Athens could vote.

An Assembly of citizens would meet regularly on a
hill called the Pnyx where they could debate and
vote on proposals that were made by their council.
The Many People Who Helped Rule
Athens

In Athens the most important officials were the 10
strategoi (military commanders). Pericles was a
famous strategoi who was relected almost every year
until he died.

There were also 9 archons who were elected every
year. These 9 held more ceremonial duties.

Basileus Archon – presided over the courts, arranged
sacrifices and supervised festivals.

Eponymous Archon – arranged the choral and drama
contests.

Polemarch Archon – looked after athletic events.
Spartan Government

Sparta was ruled by two kings, a council of elders and an
Assembly.

Legend claims a man called Lycurgus established the
Spartan system of government but experts cannot yet
determine if he was a real, or fictional character.

The kings belonged to two powerful families and they
always ruled together. They led the armies of Sparta and at
home led religious duties.

The city itself was run by 5 ephors that were elected every
year. A council of 28 people, led by their kings made laws
and served as judges.

An Assembly made up of all citizens over 30 met to vote on
whether or not the councils proposals should accepted or
not.
Peloponnesian League and Delian
League

Over the years the city-states grew and survived
countless battles.

Eventually most cities however became aligned to the
two powerful states of Athens and Sparta.

Those who were under the control of Sparta, or allied
to Sparta were called the Peloponnesian League.

The city-states that were allied to Athens were known
as the Delian League.

The battles between these two would eventual
weaken the city state system and lead to the fall of
Ancient Greece.