Section
2
Objectives
•
Understand how geography influenced the Greek
city-states.
•
Define the three types of government that
developed in the Greek city-states.
•
Explain how Sparta and Athens differed.
•
Describe the culture and values shared by Greeks.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Terms and People
•
polis – a city-state in ancient Greece
•
acropolis – section of a city at a higher elevation
with great marble temples dedicated to deities
•
citizen – free resident of a city-state
•
monarchy – a government in which a hereditary
ruler exercises central power
•
aristocracy – rule by a hereditary landholding elite
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Terms and People
(continued)
•
oligarchy – a form of government in which
power is in the hands of a small, wealthy elite
•
phalanx – a massive tactical formation of
heavily armed foot soldiers
•
Sparta – a city-state built by the Dorians in
which daily life was ruled by military discipline
•
Athens – a Greek city-state that moved slowly
toward democracy
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Terms and People
(continued)
•
democracy – government by the people
•
tyrant – a ruler who gained power by force
•
legislature – a lawmaking body
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
How did government and culture
develop as Greek city-states grew?
Ancient Greeks absorbed ideas from older
civilizations and developed their own unique
ideas as well.
They developed new ways to best govern
each polis.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Ancient civilization in Greece was shaped by
its unique geography.
• Mountains created valleys, and hundreds of rocky
islands extended from the coast.
• Independent city-states formed in these isolated
islands and valleys.
Rivalries between city-states often led to war.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
The sea was a link to the outside world.
Greeks became skilled sailors.
Population
growth
caused
Greeks to
expand
overseas.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Greeks built cities on two levels, with an acropolis
on the top of a hill and a walled
main city below.
• The citizens, or free residents, of cities,
shared responsibilities and debated ideas.
• Male landowners held all of the political power.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Different forms of government evolved in Greece
between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C.
monarchy:
a hereditary
ruler
exercises
central
power
aristocracy:
rule by a
hereditary
landholding
elite
The Rise of Greek City-States
oligarchy:
a government
in which
power is in
the hands
of a small,
wealthy elite
Section
2
As forms of government evolved, new warfare
methods also emerged.
Affordable iron
weapons replaced
bronze, increasing
the power of the
middle class.
Soldiers trained to fight
in a phalanx, and this
training created unity.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Phalanx warfare put defense of a city-state into
the hands of ordinary citizens.
At the same time, it led to two influential city-states
developing different ways of life.
Sparta
stressed
military
virtues
and strong
discipline.
Athens
glorified the
individual
and extended
rights to more
citizens.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
In Spartan warrior society:
• Boys began military training at age seven.
• They lived in army barracks until age 30.
• Everyone was required to exercise and develop
strength.
• Trade, wealth, and art were not considered
important.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Athens moved slowly toward democracy.
Solon made
reforms
including
opening
high offices
to more
citizens.
Pisistratus
helped farmers
and the poor.
He gave
ordinary citizens
a larger role in
government.
Cliesthenes made
the assembly a
legislature.
All male citizens
were expected to
participate.
Democracy in Athens was limited, but the people had
more of a voice than in any other ancient civilization.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Women in Athens could not participate in
government. They played a significant role in
public religion.
• Women participated in sacred processions and
ceremonies.
• Well-to-do women managed their households,
and were not seen in public.
• Poorer women worked outside the home.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Athenian boys learned
how to read and write
the Greek language,
from which Roman,
and eventually
English, characters
evolved.
Wealthy boys also
studied music, poetry,
and public speaking.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
Despite divisions
among city-states,
Greeks did share a
common culture.
• They all spoke the
same language.
• They prayed to
the same gods,
including Zeus.
• They shared
a sense of
superiority over
foreigners.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section
2
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The Rise of Greek City-States