Download Greece and Rome

Greek and Roman
Governments
Unit 1, SSWH 3 a and b
SSWH 3 a & b
Compare the origins and structure of the
Greek polis, the Roman Republic, and the
Roman Empire.
Identify the ideas and impact of important
individuals; include Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle and describe the diffusion of
Greek culture by Aristotle’s pupil
Alexander the Great and the impact of
Julius and Augustus Caesar.
Why are modern societies
based on the
achievements of the
Romans and the Greeks?
Similarities
• In Greece
—Social status determines participation in
govt p.118 -136
—Early Gov’t was strong monarchies
• In Rome
—voting Rights: Land owning male citizens
—Early Gov’t was strong monarchies
Greek
Polis
• Polis: Greek city-state fundamental
political unit
• Origins:
City-state: Greeks were isolated
Early History from Homer’s Epics
Trojan War—Defines Society
Persian War—Unites Greeks
Greek
Govt
• Structure:
Acropolis: citizens gathered to
discuss govt issues
Different types of govt Athenian
govt (most famous): direct
democracy
Democracy: a govt where the
citizens control it
End of Golden Age
• Greece and democracy ended because of
constant military defeats p. 126 -128
• Peloponnesian War—Sparta v. Athens
• Macedonian King invades—Phillip II (his son
is Alexander)
Roman Govt
• Republic: govt in which power rests
with citizens who have the right vote
(representatives)
• Origins
12 Tables: written law code: all
free citizens (males) were
protected by the law p. 151 – 154,
165
• Structure:
Senate composed of Patricains
(land owners)
2 Consuls (executive branch of Gov’t)
Greek Philosophers
Socrates:
Believed that absolute
standards did exist for truth &
justice
Wanted people to think about
their values & actions p.131
Plato:
Student of Socrates
Believed in a perfectly
governed society
p. 131
Aristotle:
Student of Plato
Questioned the natural world,
human belief, thought, & knowledge
Developed: rules of logic (scientific
method)
Teacher of Alexander the Great
p.131
Political Leaders
Alexander the Great:
Student of Aristotle: taught him all
about Greece
Conquered a large empire
Established several Hellenistic
(blended) societies
Encouraged learning
Julius Caesar:
1st Triumvirate (Crassus, Pompey, &
Caesar)
Triumvirate declined: Caesar &
Pompey went to war
Dictator of Rome
Assassinated by Senators: Caesar had
to much power p. 158
Augustus Caesar (Octavian):
August means “exalted one”
Avenged Julius Caesar’s death
2nd Triumvirate (Lepidus, Mark Antony,
Octavian)
Most able ruler: stabilized the republic,
beautified the city, enduring govt
Pax Romana: peace & prosperity – 207
yrs. p. 159 -160
Ticket Out the Door
Why are modern societies based
on the achievements of the
Romans and Greeks?
Jot answer
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