Governments in Ancient Greece

Monarchy

• State ruled by a king• Rule is hereditary• Some rulers claim

divine right– What is divine right?

• Mycenae

Aristocracy

• State ruled by nobility• Rule is hereditary and

based on land ownership

• Social status and wealth support rulers’ authority

• Athens

Oligarchy

• State ruled by a small group of citizens

• Rule is based on wealth

• Ruling group controls military

• Sparta

Direct Democracy

• State ruled by its citizens

• Rule is based on citizenship

• Majority rule decides vote

• Athens

Ancient Greek Architecture

Three Greek Architectural Systems

• Doric• Ionic• Corinthian

Doric

• Sturdy• Plain capital (top)• Found in mainland

Greece, southern Italy and Sicily

• Parthenon

Parthenon

• Built in 5th century B.C.E.

• Temple of Athena Parthenos (Greek goddess of wisdom)

• Built on the acropolis in Athens

Ionic• Thinner• More elegant• Capital has scroll-like

design• Found in eastern

Greece and the islands• Erechtheum• Temple of Athena

Nike

Greek Architectural Mechanics

Erechtheum

• Built between 421 and 405 BC

• Contained sanctuaries and shrines

Erechtheum

Temple of Athena Nike

Temple of Athena Nike

• Athena Nike Statue

• Louvre Museum in France

• Nike Swoosh

Corinthian

• Rare• Capital is

elaborate, decorated with leaves

• Temple of Apollo at Bassae

Temple of Apollo at Bassae

• Built c. 420 BC.

Acropolis of Athens• Dates back to Bronze

Age• Elevated, fortified

section of ancient Athens

• Devoted to religious purposes

• Contains sanctuaries and shrines