Download Roles of Governments in History

Roles of Government in Ancient
Greece & America
What “Hats” Do Government
Officials Wear in Our Communities?
• Prior to 500 BCE
(Before Common
Era), the Greek
communities in
eastern Europe were
ruled by monarchs.
These rulers had
total power over in
their communities.
• After 500 BCE the
people living in the
city of Athens
started ruling
themselves. They
were sovereign!
• Their democratic
governments had
only limited powers.
Examples from Ancient Greece.
• The Athenians created their own government.
At first, free males of Greek ancestry were the
only citizens.
• All Greek citizens had to participate in their
government in three ways: soldier, juror and
legislator.
• You can thank the ancient Greeks for
American politics! “Polis” is the Greek word
for “town with wall” or a city-state. It is the
root of our word “politics” today.
Protect the County
• Athenian citizens served
in their city-state’s
military. These citizensoldiers defended their
polis and expanded
their boundaries.
• This is a drawing of a
Greek phalanx, an
ancient battle
technique.
Keep the Domestic Peace.
• Athens paid men to
arrest law breakers
and to control their
polis- called the
police.
• Jails were operated.
• Citizens were chosen
by lot to maintain
the rule of law by
listening to
witnesses and
rendering verdicts.
Provide Necessary services
• The polis’ government
provided needed services
for their residents. It paid
for the agora, or market
place, (right) for residents
to buy and sell goods.
• It also served as a
meeting place to discuss
city “politics”- issues
affecting the common
good of citizens inside
their city-state.
Write and enforce laws.
• The last role of
government was to
maintain institutions to
write and execute laws.
• All citizens were
required to participate
in writing laws in the
Greek Assembly!
• Greek Councils enforced
the Assembly’s laws.
• Pericles (left) , was an
Athenian general and
member of it’s
Assembly.
The Government in communities
includes their:
• Police, jails and courts;
• Military forces;
• Public employees and public works provide
needed services to community members; and
• The legislative and executive institutions that
write and execute laws.
American government establishes
both domestic policy and foreign
policy. What is the difference?
Do we still have citizen-soldiers?
Please agree or disagree with this
quote. 5 points total.
• Abraham Lincoln said “The role of government
is to do for people what they cannot do for
themselves.”
• Agree or disagree with this statement.
• Theory 2 points; example 3 points.
• Use one of the four roles used by the Ancient
Greeks as your example.