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Evolution of Early Greek Government
Monarchy (Chieftains) Aristocracy (Rich/Powerful Families) Dictatorship (Tyrants)
Democracy (Elected Officials)
Directions: Use the above flow-chart to help you fill in the missing
words on this document.
Historians believe that sometime around 750 B.C., villages in small areas of
Greece joined together and began developing their own traditions and forms
of government. At first many of the city-states were ruled by chieftains
(Who were most likely military leaders). Eventually, many rich and powerful
families called aristocrats controlled city-states.
As time went on many of the middle/lower class citizens grew tired of the
corrupt aristocrats controlling their ways of life and overthrew them with
the help of a tyrant. Some tyrants grew cruel and violent but other ruled
wisely and well.
Eventually, citizens of many city-states overthrew their tyrants and decided
to govern themselves. This type of government is called a Democracy.
Democracy was favorable among the citizens because it allowed them to
create laws that benefited the people rather than just their leaders.
However, there was one catch to this form of government. Only citizens
could participate in the law and decision making of their city-state. That
seems like a politically correct way to govern, except that 1 in 5 people living
in most city-states were considered “citizens”.
Directions: Use Page 219 in the cream social studies textbook to help
you answer both questions in complete sentences. (Look at the
“Population of Athens” chart to help answer the second question.)
What are the requirements of being an Athenian citizen?
There are 4 requirements of being an Athenian citizen. You had to be male,
20 years old or older, free (not slave), and have at least one parent that was
born in Athens.
What people are left out of being or becoming “citizens” in Athens?
Women, children, slaves, and foreigners are all left out of being an
Athenian citizen.
Directions: Use Chapter 7 section 1 (198-203) in the orange textbook
to help you fill in the missing words.
ATHENS
Athens became the leading democracy of the ancient world. Many
positive laws and ways of life were created in Athens making it one of
the most desirable places to live.
Life in Athens was good if you were a boy born of free parents. You were
most likely walking through the streets on your way to school observing all
the splendor of the agora (public markets and meeting places). The
streets were lined with buyers and vendors (sellers of goods) fighting over
the “best” price of things. Farmers and artisans were also apart of the
excitement selling their wool, pottery, food, hardware, cloth, and books.
As you walk on, you watch and listen to the men around you discussing
politics, philosophy, and events in their community. They too are walking
through the agora or are sitting on the steps of temples, government
buildings, or theatres that line the streets.
On the other hand if you were a girl, you were at home with your mother
“safe” from harm. You were probably learning how to tend to the finances,
spin and weave cloth, cook, make pottery, or tend sheep (depending on the
wealth and status of the family).
Not much different than a slave (the condition of being owned by someone
else) actually, which were in almost every household. Slaves did a great deal
of work in Athens, which allowed the Athenian men the leisure time to go to
the Agora and participate in their civil duties. Slaves provided labor on
farms, dug silver and other metals, made pottery, constructed buildings,
cooked, served food, tended children, cleaned and wove cloth. Slaves lived
and worked in Athens but were denied any privileges citizen took for
granted.
WHO MADE UP THE ATHENIAN GOVERNMENT?
Directions: Use the following website to answer the questions below.
Your answers must be in your own words and in complete sentences.
http://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greek_government.php
1.How many main branches of government were there in ancient Athens?
There are 3 main branches in the Athenian government. (Assembly,
Council, Courts)
2.What were the roles of each branch?
A. The Assembly created laws.
B. The Council dealt with government issues on a daily basis.
C. The Courts decided the outcomes of law braking citizens.
TASK: Your teacher will give you the name and title of a person living in
Athens. You must write a persuasive speech convincing the Athenian citizens
that you are as deserving of citizenship as they are. Convince them of the
benefits of having this group (women, foreigners, slaves) of people as part of
their democracy. Write your persuasive speech on a separate document
titled, “If I were an Athenian Citizen”.
THINK ABOUT IT: How would the ideas and voices of this group of people
create more fair laws or decisions in the Assembly, the Council, and the
Courts?
(Use the answer to this question as part of your persuasive speech!)