Ancient Greece
The Polis
The City-state of Athens
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Map of the City of Athens (Upper Left)
Image of the Topography of Athens
(Lower Left)
Buildings of the Acropolis (both on the
Lower Right)
Greek Government
2000-1100 BC
Minoan and
Mycenaean
Periods
Monarchy
(rule one person, a king or
queen for example)
Most city-states and Greece were monarchies.
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King Minos of Crete
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King Agamemnon of Mycenae
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King Priam of Troy
1100-750 BC
Dark Ages
Aristocracy
(oligarchy = rule by the
nobility (rule by a few))
Noblemen known as aristocrats begin to gain control over some of the
Greek city-states. Democracy is first seen in small towns.
750-500 BC
Archaic Period
Tyranny
(dictatorship = rule by a
tyrant, a dictator for
example)
Some city-states were ruled by aristocrats; others were ruled by tyrants
(dictators). Democracy and democratic ideas begin to grow in Athens.
Sparta and Argos are two of the few monarchies that remain.
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Tyrants in Athens included Theseus, Draco, Solon, and
Peisistratus
500-323 BC
Classical Period
Democracy
(demos (people) and kratos
(rule) = rule by the citizens –
practiced in Athens and
some other city-states)
 Direct Democracy
???
Theseus (who killed the Minotaur) founds the city of
Athens according to Plutarch
621 BC
Law code in Athens attributed to Draco was drawn up.
594 BC
Solon “the reformer” of Athens abolished enslavement
for debt, defined political rights in terms of wealth rather
than birth, established court of appeals.
546-527 BC
Peisistratus, tyrant who ruled Athens with support of
the lower classes, may have divided nobles’ estates
among poor families.
Athens becomes the first large city to embrace democracy as its main form
of government. Sparta is still a monarchy.
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Major democratic reformers in Athens included Cleisthenes and
Pericles
508 BC
Cleisthenes broke up the power of the aristocrats in
Athens and created the Council of Five Hundred,
chosen from local government units, with wide power.
461-429 BC
Pericles of Athens opened offices to all male citizens
and provided that office holders be paid.
o all citizens make laws
 Representative
Democracy
o elected representatives
make laws
o Plato’s “Republic”
Assembly
The Assembly was made up of all free male citizens 21 years of age or older. It elected the Board of Generals. It also
received and considered proposals made by the Council and the Board of Generals. The Assembly discussed and voted
on all important matters of state, including declaring war and appropriating money.
Council
Board of Generals
The Council was an executive body that
prepared and suggested items to be
considered by the Assembly. It handled
most of the routine government business. It
was made up of ten committees, which took
turns heading the Assembly. Its 500
members were chosen by lot from all the
citizens. Members had to be at least 30
years old. They served for one year.
The Board of Generals was made up of 10
generals who were elected by the
Assembly. The Board advised the
Assembly on military affairs. It led the army
and navy in wartime.
Board of Officials
The Board of Officials was elected to direct
public affairs such as the courts of justice.
Juries
Six thousand people acted as judges and
jurors combined. Of these, at least 201
were chosen by lot for each trial. In
important cases the jury would number 501
or more people.