The Rise of Greek City-States
Section 2
• 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.
Objectives
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
Population growth caused Greeks to expand overseas.
The sea was a link to the outside world. Greeks became skilled sailors.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section 2
• The citizens, or free residents, of cities, shared responsibilities and debated ideas.
• Male landowners held all of the political power.
Greeks built cities on two levels, with an acropolis on the top of a hill and a walled main city below.
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section 2
Different forms of government evolved in Greece between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C.
aristocracy:rule by a hereditary landholding elite
oligarchy:a government in which power is in the hands of a small, wealthy elite
monarchy:a hereditary ruler exercises central power
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section 2
Affordable iron weapons replaced bronze, increasing the power of the middle class.
Soldiers trained to fight
in a phalanx, and this training created unity.
As forms of government evolved, new warfare methods also emerged.
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
• 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.
In Spartan warrior society:
The Rise of Greek City-States
Section 2
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.
Athens moved slowly toward democracy.
Solon made reforms including opening high offices to more citizens.
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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