early greece early important greek city was mycenae mycenaeans fought a famous ten year war against...

EARLY GREECE•Early important Greek city was Mycenae•Mycenaeans fought a famous ten year war against the city of Troy

•Trojans kidnapped Helen wife of Greek king starting TROJAN WAR

•Without written records much of early Greek history was passed down through stories - most famous by Homer {Iliad, Odyssey}

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXRxD85Xc0

(Greek city-state)

The Polis

Emerged around 750 BCFundamental political unit of ancient Greece

Made up of a city and its surrounding countryside

Home to fewer then 10,000 residents

City states:

The geographically isolated city-states were ruled by many different forms of

government

powerful individuals who seized control by appealing to the common people for

support

tyranny

aristocracygovernment owned by the rich, land owning nobles

oligarchy

rule by a few powerful people

monarchy

rule by a kingsometimes by divine right

democracy

rule by citizens who can vote

known as a direct democracy

These independent city-states were often rivals

Athens

Sparta