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Ancient Greek Government and Society
City-States (Polis)
• Because the geography of Greece is so mountainous, many
settlements were separated from one another.
• Over time these settlements became known as cities to the
people who lived in them.
• Each city had its own army, and its own money. They each
even had their own government.
Forms of Government
Within the city-states that were throughout the country, four forms of
government developed.
• Monarchy- rule by one hereditary ruler
• Oligarchy- rule by a small group of people
• Tyranny- rule by a cruel and oppressive government or rule.
• Democracy- rule by citizens
Athens and Sparta were probably the
two most famous and powerful city
states in Ancient Greece.
However, their governments were very
different.
Government of Athens
Governed with a Democracy. They were the first to ever do this. Although, not
all people could participate (women, slaves and foreigners had no political
rights).
*Only citizens (free adult males) had the right to participate in the
government.*
Council of 500: (direct democracy- not representative democracy)
• Met everyday
• Debated laws and business
• Chosen from a drawing and served one year.
Assembly:
• 6,000 had to be in attendance
• Met every 10 days
• Voted on laws : yes / no
Origins of Athenian Democracy
• About 622BCE, a tyrant named Draco created a written legal
system and a court to enforce his laws. Draco’s court gave out
harsh punishments for even minor offenses. Today we use the
word draconian to describe laws that are unnecessarily harsh or
unjust.
•
• In 594BCE, Solon became the leader of Athens. Solon repealed
Draco’s harshest laws assembled a group of ordinary citizens to
vote on how Athens was to be governed. The Assembly
gathered forty times a year and was open to all male citizens
with at least two years of military service.
Government of Sparta
Governed with an Oligarchy:
• 2 kings inherited power
• 28 council of Elders-elected
• Assembly was made up of male citizens
• Very little power was given to the assembly
Athens and Sparta were also very different in
the role of boys and girls in society.
Athens:
Boys vs. Girls
Boys:
• Up to 6- taught at home- mother or slave tutor
• 6-7 – school-reading, writing, math, literature
• Good citizens was most important=purpose of education!
• 18 – military school/after went to private schools to learn to debate and public
speaking
Girls
• Girls were not regarded as important by the Athenians.
• Girls could be taught at home. (if they had rich parents)
• Girls were not allowed to take part in anything to do with war, business or education.
• Had to be escorted
• Few rights
• Not citizens
Sparta:
Boys vs. Girls
Boys:
• Age 7 – went to military school for training for army
• Health and strength most important.
• Unhealthy babies left to die
• At age 20, given a test of strength and leadership- if passed became a
citizen
Girls:
• Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors.
• Although they were not allowed to fight, girls took part in all the training
because fit ladies produced fit babies, who would fight!
Athens v Sparta
• Athens and Sparta had very different ways of
living their lives.
• Athens wanted to control as much land as
possible and this led to much war between Greek
lands. Powerful navy
• Sparta, although more powerful kept itself to itself
unless their army was needed. Powerful Army
Athens vs. Sparta
ATHENS
Politically
(government and
military)
Socially
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3uTM9gjSGI
SPARTA
Athens or Sparta?
Which was better?