GREEK CITY-STATES AND GOVERNMENTS

OBJECTIVES
 Understand the role of city-states in Classical Greece
 Understand the Greek version of democracy
 Explain the purpose and process of voting
 Examine the ethical dilemma of banishing a person
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
1. Why were city-states in classical Greece independent?
Ans) Greece is an area that has mountains and series of many
islands. This meant that parts of Greece were separated from
each other making travel difficult. Hence, power in classical
Greece was found in individual city-states
2. Who could vote in ancient Greek?
Ans) All citizens of Athens.
3. How was a law passed or issued decided?
Ans) Law passed or issued on the basis of majority vote of all
citizens at the assembly.
4. Write a brief explanation of the vote to ostracize and what
part an ostraka played in the process.
 Ans) One way that people of Athens protected themselves
was by a special type of vote for ostracism or banishment.
 After 10 years the person could return.This was often to
remove a person seen as a danger to the city.
 Citizens voted by writing the name of a person they wanted
to be out on a piece of broken shell or pottery called an
Ostraka.
 Whoever had his name written the most, was ostracized or
banished for 10 years.
5. How did the government in Athens work?
Ans) The government of Athens was a direct democracy
which means that all citizens voted directly on laws and
other issues. The votes were held in Assemblies which met
40 times a year at the Pnyx, a hill near the center of Athens.
At the Assemblies, people spoke about issues and laws. At
the end a vote was taken. The votes were counted and Law
passed or issued on the basis of majority vote.