THE GREEK CITY STATES

RISE OF THE POLIS

• Rugged geography and limited forms of land transportation

encouraged development
• Began with political co-operation among adjacent villages
• Started in the Greek lands of costal Asia Minor before
spreading to the rest of Greece
• Several hundred were established
 THE POLIS
• Final form included:
• Dominant city incorporating the
surrounding lands and villages
• Fortified upper area (Acropolis)
with temple of local god(s)
• Lower area (Agora) containing
market square surrounded by
public buildings.
• Athens and Sparta develop into
leading Greek city-states
• All central cities were walled except
for Sparta
 EARLY CITY-STATES
• Acropolis:
• Hilltop fortress
• People gathered to:
• Defend the polis
• Discuss local affairs
• Honour gods

• Government:
• Dark Ages – Monarchies
• Eventually changed to
Aristocracies
 COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

• Citizenship was restricted to males born of citizens

• Women, children, slaves, and resident foreigners were
denied roles in government and the courts
• Citizen had civil and military obligations to the polis, but in
return had a say in government
 BENEFITS/DRAWBACKS

• Polis was focus of their political, economic, and religious

loyalties
• The devotion to the polis produced a sense of unity and civic
pride
• Wealthy citizens donated to public works such as temples
 BENEFITS/DRAWBACKS

• Major drawback was the lack of co-operation among the

city-states; constant competition for control of land and trade
led to wars
• Lack of co-operation would often continue when faced with
external threats (Persia, Macedonia)
 EARLY CITY STATES

• Greek Colonies:
• Many left mainland Greece (new opportunities, trade, fleeing debt)
• Expanded to Black Sea, Southern Italy, North Africa, Spain
• Contact with other Mediterranean people made them aware of a common
heritage
• Outsiders were barbaroi (barbarian)
• Sharing of new ideas (coins = increased trade)
• Coins gave rise to strong merchant class that would challenge nobles
 COMMON HERITAGE

• Language
• Religion (Olympian gods)
• Athletic festivals (Olympia 776 BCE)
• Pilgrimages made to shrines of Zeus, Apollo, and the Oracle
 EARLY CITY-STATES
• Rise of Tyranny:
• Military service was the duty of
every citizen
• War Chariots driven by nobles
had been decisive force
• Replaced by phalanx
• Required lots of training
• As role in defending city-state grew,
soldiers demanded more say in
government
 EARLY CITY STATES

• Many citizen soldiers supported revolts of the lower class

• Concerned over debt-slavery
• Widespread discontent led to tyranny:
• Not the same meaning as today
• Champion of the people
• Ruled as long as he had support
• Development of democracy