SETTING THE STAGE During the Dorian period, Greek civilization
experienced decline. However, two things changed life in Greece. First, Dorians
and Mycenaeans alike began to identify less with the culture of their ancestors
and more with the local area where they lived. Second, by the end of this period,
the method of governing areas had changed from tribal or clan control to more
formal governments—the city-states.
Rule and Order in Greek City-States
By 750 B.C., the city-state, or polis, was the fundamental political unit in ancient
Greece. A polis was made up of a city and its surrounding countryside, which
included numerous villages. Most city-states controlled between 50 and 500
square miles of territory. They were often home to fewer than 10,000 residents.
At the agora, or marketplace, or on a fortified hilltop called an acropolis
(uh•KRAHP•uh•lihs), citizens gathered to discuss city government.
Greek Political Structures Greek city-states had many different forms of
government. (See the chart on page 128.) In some, a single person, called a king,
ruled in a government called a monarchy. Others adopted an aristocracy
(AR•uh•STAHK•ruh•see), a government ruled by a small group of noble,
landowning families. These very rich families often gained political power after
serving in a king’s military cavalry. Later, as trade expanded, a new class of
wealthy merchants and artisans emerged in some cities. When these groups
became dissatisfied with aristocratic rule, they sometimes took power or shared
it with the nobility. They formed an oligarchy, a government ruled by a few
powerful people.
Tyrants Seize Power In many city-states, repeated clashes occurred between
rulers and the common people. Powerful individuals, usually nobles or other
wealthy citizens, sometimes seized control of the government by appealing to the
common people for support. These rulers were called tyrants. Unlike today,
tyrants generally were not considered harsh and cruel. Rather, they were looked
upon as leaders who would work for the interests of the ordinary people. Once
in power, for example, tyrants often set up building programs to provide jobs and
housing for their supporters.
Warring City-States
Sparta
Following
Chronological Order
On a double time line,
note the important
events in the
development of
Athens and Sparta.
TAKING NOTES
Draco's
Code
Conquest
of Messenia
Athens
Monarchy Aristocracy Oligarchy Direct Democracy
• State ruled by a king
• Rule is hereditary
• Some rulers claim
divine right
• Practiced in Mycenae
by 2000 B.C.
• State ruled by nobility
• Rule is hereditary and
based on family ties,
social rank, wealth
• Social status and wealth
support rulers’ authority
• Practiced in Athens prior
to 594 B.C.
• State ruled by a small
group of citizens
• Rule is based on wealth
or ability
• Ruling group controls
military
• Practiced in Sparta by 500 B.C.
• State ruled by its
citizens
• Rule is based on
citizenship
• Majority rule decides vote
• Practiced in Athens by
about 500 B.C.
Forms of Government
Vocabulary
The legal code prepared
by Draco was
so harsh that the
word draconian has
come to mean
“extreme cruelty or
severity.”
128 Chapter 5
Contrasting
How is
Athenian democracy
different from
modern American
democracy?
Athens Builds a Limited Democracy
The idea of representative government also began to take root in some city-states,
particularly Athens. Like other city-states, Athens went through power struggles
between rich and poor. However, Athenians avoided major political upheavals by
making timely reforms. Athenian reformers moved toward democracy, rule by the
people. In Athens, citizens participated directly in political decision making.
Building Democracy The first step toward democracy came when a nobleman
named Draco took power. In 621 B.C., Draco developed a legal code based on the
idea that all Athenians, rich and poor, were equal under the law. Draco’s code dealt
very harshly with criminals, making death the punishment for practically every
crime. It also upheld such practices as debt slavery, in which debtors worked as
slaves to repay their debts.
More far-reaching democratic reforms were introduced by Solon (SO•luhn),
who came to power in 594 B.C. Stating that no citizen should own another citizen,
Solon outlawed debt slavery. He organized all Athenian citizens into four social
classes according to wealth. Only members of the top three classes could hold
political office. However, all citizens, regardless of class, could participate in the
Athenian assembly. Solon also introduced the legal concept that any citizen could
bring charges against wrongdoers.
Around 500 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes (KLYS•thuh•NEEZ) introduced
further reforms. He broke up the power of the nobility by organizing citizens into ten
groups based on where they lived rather than on their wealth. He also increased the