4.12.W - Lesson: The Greek City-States/ notes

Who was considered to be the "Father of Athenian Democracy"?

Cleisthenes

Sparta

Two of the most notable Greek city-states were Sparta and Athens. They provide a stark contrast to one another. Sparta is located on Peloponnese, in an area known as Laconia. Spartans were known for their toughness and their fierceness, conquering their neighbors and thus expanding on the Peloponnese. In 735 BC, the Spartans overtook the Messenia, a fertile region in the southwestern Peloponnese. By 600 BC, the city-state had become a dominant military polis. The Spartan political cycle never went beyond an oligarchy. Government of Sparta Two kings formally controlled the government of Sparta. This monarchy received assistance in military and foreign affairs by a council of twenty-eight men who had to be at least sixty years of age. The elders' age was an important factor to ensure that only conservative men served on the council. The Ephorate, a five-man board elected from and by the people, handled domestic issues. The Ephorate had the authority to depose kings, veto all legislation, censure citizens, control the education system, and decide the fate of newborn infants. Because the Spartans did not comprehend that only God has the authority to determine when human life ends, the Ephorate had the power to kill weak and disabled children by either throwing them from a mountain top or leaving them in the woods to starve. The Ephorate's reason for this harsh behavior was to ensure the Spartan population remained strong. Social Structure of Sparta Sparta had three social classes—the Spartiates, the Perioeci, and the helots. The Spartiates consisted of the ruling class. Within this social group were the kings, members of the Ephorate, the twenty-eight councilmen, and other nobles. These individuals controlled the political power in Sparta. The Perioeci was the middle class, consisting of businessmen and merchants. This middle class lived in and around Sparta but had little political influence. Finally, the helots were the serfs who belonged to the government. These helots had absolutely no political power or civil rights. The helots were from conquered lands, and they outnumbered the upper and middle classes as much as 15 to 1. To ensure Sparta's safety from these enslaved individuals, strict military law was needed to ensure the helots obeyed. Vessel depicting Hoplites in battle Spartan education consisted primarily of military training. The hoplites were a class of warriors produced by the Spartiates to enforce law and order. At the age of seven, all Spartiate males were taken from their homes and became property of the state. These young men remained in military school until they were of the age of thirty. During these twenty-three years, they endured rigorous military training—they were only given one garment a year and had to hunt for their own food. In addition, the soldiers in training were taught to steal food, but they were severely beaten if they were caught. A Spartan male could marry at the age of twenty but could only see his wife if he secretively absconded to see her. Sparta demanded the absolute allegiance of its citizens both male and female. Spartan Women A Spartan woman's duty was to raise three sons to adulthood. To do this required the average woman to bear around 12 children to better the odds of having three sons. This task took a heavy toll on Spartan women, and complications in childbirth were a leading cause of death among women in Sparta. Women were encouraged to remain physically fit because the Spartan men believed that a healthy woman bore healthy sons. Spartan mothers encouraged their sons into war by saying, "return home either carrying your shield or carried on it." Women were allowed to move freely about the city and participate in festivals. Sparta's population declined between 700 BC-300 BC, because of the large number of men being killed in war and many women dying in childbirth.

Based on the lesson, the common man enjoyed more civic responsibility under which Athenian tyrant?

Pericles

Which Athenian tyrant oversaw the "Golden Age of Greece"?

Pericles

In the Council of 500... (Choose all that may apply.)

- highest offices were held by the aristocrats - all free citizens could vote - The lowers classes were able to enjoy high positiions of power

Semi Review

Ancient Greece was not a unified nation, as we have mentioned previously, but a collection of hundreds of city-states in varying sizes. Each had its own forms of government, military, and cultural characteristics. Sometimes they allied themselves with one another in a common cause, but they were just as likely to war against one another when interests clashed. The following are some of the primary city-states that played major roles in the history of Greece:

Which of the following Greek city-states was known for horse breeding?

Argos

Argos

Argos lies in the fertile region of the Peloponnesian peninsula and was built on two hills. Before the ascendancy of the Greek city-states proper, Argos held a place of high esteem in Mycenaean culture. Argos maintained its status during the Greek period, as Homer describes Agamemnon sending troops from Argos to fight in the Trojan War. Argos was also known for horse breeding, thus making it an important city-state in any military campaign. After the Trojan War, Argos challenged Sparta for hegemony in Peloponnese throughout much of the seventh through fifth centuries BC. Hegemony is an impressive word for control or dominance of a region. These two city-states vied for control of the Argolid, the fertile region of the Peloponnesian peninsula. The role of Argos during the Persian War in the fifth century BC is ambiguous at best, as they either remained neutral or displayed pro-Persian persuasion. During the Persian Wars, Argos expanded its influence to nearby city-states such as Mycenae, Tiryns, and Nemea. Because of the increased influence of Argos, it became host to the Pan-Hellenic games, previously held in Nemea. The influence of Argos would continue through the Roman period when emperors such as Hadrian built aqueducts and baths based on the Greek model.

Athens

Athens, located on the Attica Peninsula on mainland Greece, developed much differently from Sparta. The Athenians eventually extended the right of governing to all its citizens, but it took time for them to become a complete democracy. Evolution of Government in Athens Athens was ruled by a monarchy until 1050 BC, when the last king, Codrus, died. The nobles then established an aristocracy, with members of the noble class ruling. Around 620 BC, the people were unhappy with the nobles and demanded the law of the city-state be written down. An Athenian aristocrat, Draco, established the first law code for Athens. Though the laws were seen as harsh, every offense was punishable by death, the concept of a code of laws exemplified that the law belonged to the people. The Athenian peasants were unhappy with the fact that the aristocratic assembly controlled all economic matters. Farmers struggled to survive because the aristocrats controlled the best farmland; resulting in common farmers depending on the aristocrats for financial assistance, making the common man indebted to the aristocrats. If the farmer could not repay his debt, then the farmer and his family became slaves to the creditor. In 594 BC, Solon, an aristocrat, argued that the unrest because of debt and slavery led to the rise of tyrants in other poleis. Solon had the respect of many fellow aristocrats, so he was elected chief, or archon, of Athens and began to repeal the harsh laws of Draco. Solon immediately freed all individuals enslaved for debt and made enslavement for debt illegal. Solon also created a Council of 400 and allowed every native-born citizen in Athens to serve on the council—even the poor could serve on this council. In addition, Solon divided the citizens of Athens into four legal groups based on income. Though only the wealthiest could become archon and were seen as the more influential, all members of all groups were seen as citizens. The poor and least powerful did enjoy certain rights, such as selecting some of the magistrates that ran the city. Solon's system of government failed when Peisistratus came to power around 561 BC and became the first tyrant. He oversaw a period of prosperity for the common people. He also promoted equality for everyone in Athens. Turmoil erupted in Athens when Peisistratus died in 527 BC, but stability arrived in 510 BC when Cleisthenes emerged as the new leader. He is known as the "Father of Athenian Democracy" because he was seen as a champion for the average man. He reformed the legal code and granted citizenship to all citizens as long as you belonged to one of the villages belonging to Athens. The Council of 500 was created where all men could serve as long as they were above the age of thirty. It was not a true democracy—the highest offices were still held by the aristocrats, but all citizens could vote and be tried by their peers in courts of law. It is also believed Cleisthenes introduced the concept of ostracism, where someone could be exiled for ten years. This was seen as a way to remove those causing trouble, but many excellent soldiers and statesmen were exiled due to pure jealousy.

Corinth

Corinth was a city-state that was known for its art, particularly that of the innovative and beautiful pottery. This pottery dominated the Greek markets from the eighth century BC to the sixth century BC. Stone and bronzewares were common exports from Corinth that grew as a center of trade. The dilokos expedited the ascendancy of Corinth as a trade destination; this was a stone track with grooves that made travel for wheeled wagons easier. Corinth administered the Panhellenic games from the 6th century BC to the end of the century. Politically, Corinth maintained a rivalry with Argos, which caused it to ally with Sparta. This relationship was severed because of Sparta's aggressive intervention in Athens. Corinth would fight alongside Athens and Sparta in the Persian Wars. Corinth intentionally created conflict with Megara, starting the First Peloponnesian War. For starting the war, Corinth suffered a detrimental counter-attack by the allies of Megara. Not satisfied, Corinth sparked the Second Peloponnesian War. In this war, they were also dissatisfied with Sparta for not completely sacking Athens. For this, Corinth made an alliance with several city-states including Argos, Boeotia, Thebes, and Athens to challenge Sparta's hegemony. Corinth would later achieve more influence as a trade city in the first century AD. It became the center of early Christianity in Greece and is the city for which the book of Corinthians is named.

Who established the first law code for Athens?

Draco

Which of the following Greek city-states was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis?

Ephesus

Golden Age of Greece

Greece reached its Golden Age under the leadership of Pericles in 461 BC. Athenian democracy reached its highest potential and the culture blossomed under his leadership. More average men participated in politics thanks to Pericles' allowance of politicians earning a salary, thus making serving in politics financially lucrative. A common man no longer had to choose between making a living and serving on the Council of 500. During Pericles's reign, all Athenian citizens were allowed to make the big decisions in the government as opposed to only a few representatives making the decisions on behalf of their constituents. Pericles encouraged the citizens to reach their pinnacle cultural achievements. Pericles turned Athens into a cultural wonder, especially through his building projects. These projects employed many people and brought economic progress to the city. It was during this time that the Athenians built the Parthenon atop of the Acropolis in Athens. Because of their cultural achievements and increased feelings of patriotism and civic responsibility, Pericles's reign is termed the Golden Age of Greece.

Of the four social classes, which one made up most of the Spartan population?

Helots

Which member of Spartan society best fits this statement: "Strict training was necessary to encourage military discipline and loyalty to Sparta."

Hoplites

Knossos

Knossos is one of the most ancient of the Greek cities, founded on the island of Crete by the Minoan civilization. The city was established before 2000 BC and is surrounded in mystery because of its sudden destruction by fire or tsunami. It held a place in Greek mythology as Plato's mythical city of Atlantis, but mostly because of the exploits of King Minos. He was known for his wisdom as well as creating the first navy to rid the Aegean Sea of piracy. In another episode in Greek mythology, Minos mocked Daedalus and Icarus who tried to escape prison by fashioning bird wings. Icarus, the son of Daedalus was warned to not fly too close to the sun or his wings would fall apart and, of course, according to myth that is exactly what he did. Like many city-states, Knossos was known for its art, particularly the pottery. Although much of Knossos was destroyed, there are remaining ruins that give us some clue as to what Knossos might have been like. Although, whether or not the Minoans lived in Knossos is subject to much controversy. Knossos, as well as Minoan culture, was overrun by the Mycenaean culture. The Mycenaeans were the precursors to the Greeks and are the bridge between the ancient Minoans and the classical Greeks.

Ephesus

The Ionian, Androclus, founded Ephesus. It was destroyed in the seventh century BC, but the city recovered under the rule of the Lydian kings. After this point, Ephesus became a place of rich commerce on the Mediterranean Sea, as well as a hub for learning and education. In a world that had not experienced the enlightened teachings of Socrates, Ephesus offered up the renowned Greek philosopher, Heraclitus. In Ephesus, men and women held equal status, and there are many records to show women as artists, sculptors, painters, and educators. One of the seven wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, was built in Ephesus. During the Persian Wars, Ephesus was brought under the rule of the Persians but still remained prominent in trade in the region. In the next war against Persian rule, Ephesians decided to remain neutral, escaping the death and destruction wrought by the Persians on their Ionian neighbors. Under Roman influence in the second century BC, the city of Ephesus remained a hub of cultural and mercantile influence.

In which of the following Greek city-states did Philip of Macedon, and through him Alexander, learn military tactics?

Thebes

Thebes

Thebes was an important city-state that took part in the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, reaching its peak in the fourth century BC. At this point, it was arguably one of the most powerful city-states in Greece. It was a strong rival of Athens and Sparta for hegemony on the Greek peninsula. During the Persian War, Thebes sided with Persia, much to the chagrin of Athens and Sparta who collaborated to take on the powerful Persian Empire under Xerxes. Thebes played an important role in the Peloponnesian War by siding with Sparta over Athens, which ended the dominance of Athens over the other Greek city-states in the fifth century BC. After the ascendancy of Sparta to regional hegemony, the Greek culture slowly faded, notably the rich art and political culture of Athens. Beyond these wars, Thebes gained notoriety through its army and generalship in the fourth century BC. Under the leadership of Epaminondas and Pelopidas, Thebes was able to achieve its greatest period of regional dominance. They were able to challenge the Spartans, their partners in the Peloponnesian War, to gain more regional power. During the campaigns by Pelopidas, the future king of Macedonia, Philip, was captured and taken to Thebes where he learned military tactics. These he taught his son Alexander, who would go on to become one of the world's greatest military minds. Their dominance waned after Sparta and Athens allied again to destroy the Theban led Boiotaian League. When this league, including the small Macedonian kingdom, was dismantled, Sparta and Athens both regained regional hegemony.

Of the governing entities of Sparta, which one had the authority to veto all legislation and decide the fate of newborn children?

ephorate