Download Chapter 4 Section 2 Cont.

Chapter 4 Section 2 Cont.
Forms of Government
Tyranny
Tyrants were not necessarily oppressive
or wicked as the word tyrant implies.
Greek tyrants were rulers who seized
power by force from the aristocrats.
Support came from the newly rich who
gained their wealth from trade and
industry; not rich families.
Gained power and kept it by using
hired (mercenary) soldiers.
Poor peasants liked tyrants
Ended debt
Helped the poor through public
works projects.
Big Idea: Greek tyrants ended the
rule of aristocrats in many citystates. Allowed for new people to
participate in government.
Forms of Government (Continued)
Democracy
Government by the people or rule
of the many
Oligarchy
Rule by a few (usually the elite)
This IS SPARTA!
Two Rival City-States
Sparta
Spartan = Highly self-disciplined
Like other Greek city-states, Sparta needed more
land. Instead of starting new colonies the Spartans
conquered the neighboring city-states.
Conquered Loconia and Messenia
This IS SPARTA!
Became slaves and were forced to work for the
Spartans
Name for the captured people was Helots.
Sparta becomes a military state to keep control of
it’s people.
Males
Spent their childhood learning military discipline.
Enroll in the army for regular military service at age 20.
Could marry, but lived in the military barracks until age
30.
Could vote in the assembly at age 30
Stayed in the army until age 60.
This IS SPARTA!
Women
Had more freedom and power in Spartan
homes than other parts of Greece because
of the separation from their husbands.
Expected to remain fit to bear and raise
healthy children.
Encouraged bravery and “the Spartan
way”
• Be victorious or die bravely (retreat is not an
option.)
Spartan Government
Oligarchy headed by two Kings
Five Ephors were elected each year and were
responsible for the education of youth and the conduct
of the citizens.
A council of elders, composed of the two kings and 28
citizens over the age of 60, decided on the issues that
would be presented to the assembly.
Assembly: made up of male citizens over the age of 30.
To keep the state secure foreigners were not allowed to
visit and Spartans could not travel abroad.
Were discouraged to study philosophy, literature, and
the arts. The art of war was the Spartan ideal.
Athens
By 700 B.C. Athens had become a unified
polis on the peninsula of Attica.
Rule by an oligarchy of Aristocrats.
Assembly of citizens had little power.
By the end of the 7th century the economy
was so bad the aristocrats sold the farmers
into slavery when they were unable to pay
their debts.
This economic depression brought Athens to
the brink of civil war.
In 594 B.C. Solon was
given full power from
the aristocrats.
Reform minded
Cancelled all debts
Freed all slaves
Did not give away land
560 B.C. Peisistratus
becomes a ruler by
force (tyrant)
gives land to the
poor
Aided Athenian
trade
Cleisthenes
takes over in
508 B.C.
Creates a
council of
500.
Foreign
affairs
Oversaw the
treasury
Proposed
laws
Assembly
becomes the
center of
politics.
* Creates the foundation for Athenian Democracy *