LO3 Citizens and Communities: The Greek City-States

Greek City state was also known as polis. The city states were small places, generally consisting of no more than a town and a few square miles of surrounding countryside.

Only a few thousands lived in a Greek City State, but Athens reached up to 250,000 people.

The towns were built around a hill which stood on top of it was an Acropolis.

Acropolis- the high fortified citadel and religious center of an ancient Greek Town.

The Greek City States were very competitive and often fought one another.

The Greeks were the first known to have a name for the people who live in their community, polites or “citizen”.

City-States and Citizens

An Athenian “Owl” the slang name of this tedradachma (four-drachma coin).

Hoplie- a havily armed and armored citizen-solider of acient Greece.

Phalanx- a unit of several hundred hoplites, who closed ranks by joining shields when approaching the enemy.

Monarchy- a state in which supreme power is held by a single, usually hereditary ruler ( a monarch)

Oligrachy- a state in which supreme power is held by a small group.

Triremes- massive fighting vessels with three banks of oars, used to ram or board enemy ships.

Tyranny- rule by a self- proclaimed dictator (a tyrant)

Democracy- in ancient Greece, a form of government in which all adult male citizens were entitled to take part in decision making.

Sparta: The Military Ideal

Helots- noncitizens forced to work for landholders in the ancient city-state of Sparta.

The Spartans were the descendants of Greeks who had conquered part of the southern mainland. (The territory of Laconia)

The Spartan Way of Life

The way of life that dedicated male citizens entirely to the service of the state. The farms were worked by the helots. Helots- noncitizens forced to work for landholders in the ancient city-state of Sparta.

Aristocrats- members of prominent and long-established Athenian families.