Presentation Slides and Video Link

Ancient Greek Government and Society

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Because the geography of Greece is so mountainous, many settlements

were separated from one another.

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Over time these settlements became known as cities to the people who

lived in them.

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Each city had its own army, and its own money.  They each even had

their own government.

Within the city-states that were throughout the country, four forms of

government developed.

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Monarchy

- rule by one hereditary ruler

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Oligarchy

- rule by 

a small group of people

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Tyranny

- rule by a 

cruel and oppressive government or rule.

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Democracy

- rule by citizens

Athens and Sparta were probably the two

most famous and powerful city states in

Ancient Greece.

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Government of Athens

Governed with a 

Democracy

. They were the first to ever do this. Although, not all

people could participate (women, slaves and foreigners had no political rights).

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Only citizens (free adult males) had the right to participate in the government

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Council of 500: (

direct democracy- 

not representative democracy)

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Met everyday

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Debated

 laws and business

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Chosen from a drawing and served one year.

Assembly:

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6,000 had to be in attendance

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Met every 10 days

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Voted on laws : yes / no

Greek democracy became the foundation of modern democracy.

Origins of Athenian Democracy

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About 622BCE, a tyrant named Draco created a written legal system

and a court to enforce his laws. Draco’s court gave out harsh

punishments for even minor offenses. Today we use the word 

draconian

to describe laws that are unnecessarily harsh or unjust.

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In 594BCE, Solon became the leader of Athens. Solon repealed

Draco’s harshest laws assembled a group of ordinary citizens to vote on

how Athens was to be governed. The Assembly gathered forty times a

year and was open to all male citizens with at least two years of

military service.

Government of Sparta

Governed with an 

Oligarchy

:

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2 kings inherited power

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 28 council of Elders-elected

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Assembly was made up of male citizens

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Very little power was given to the assembly

Athens and Sparta were also very different in the

role of boys and girls in society.

Athens:

Boys vs. Girls

Boys:

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Up to 6- taught at home- mother or slave tutor

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6-7 – school-reading, writing, math, literature

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Good citizens was most important=purpose of education!

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18 – military school/after went to private schools to learn to debate and public speaking

Girls

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Girls were not regarded as important by the Athenians.

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Girls could be taught at home. (if they had rich parents)

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Girls were not allowed to take part in anything to do with war, business or education.

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Had to be escorted

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Few rights

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Not citizens

Sparta:

Boys vs. Girls

Boys:

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Age 7 – went to military school for training for army

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Health and strength most important.

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Unhealthy babies left to die

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At age 20, given a test of strength and leadership- if passed became a citizen

Girls:

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Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors.

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Although they were not allowed to fight, girls took part in all the training

because fit ladies produced fit babies, who would fight!

Athens v Sparta

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Athens and Sparta had very different ways of living

their lives.

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Athens wanted to control as much land as possible and

this led to much war between Greek lands. Powerful

navy

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Sparta, although more powerful kept itself to itself

unless their army was needed. Powerful Army

Athens vs. Sparta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3uTM9gjSGI

Athens or Sparta?

Which was better?