Greece's Government

Today in class, we took notes on the Greeks' government. Below are the notes form Mr. Schick's power point. We also related their meetings with golf. Most business owners talk their proposals while playing golf, so it doesn't get too boring. Golf is my favorite sport, so I would love to propose my idea while playing golf. Hopefully, the golf team at John Carroll will improve my skills.

• polis- fundamental political unit, made up of a city and the surrounding countryside.
• monarchy- rule by a single person (a king).
• aristocracy- rule by a small group of noble, very rich, landowning families.
• Oligarchy- wealthy groups, dissatisfied with aristocratic rule, who seized power (often with military help).
• Tyrant- powerful individual who seized control by appealing to the common people for support.
• During the 7th and 6th century BCE, aristocrats ran the show in most of Greece.
• Aristocrats- members of the ruling class
• They attended symposiums, meetings where the elite men would enjoy wine and poetry, performances by dancers.

Politics- an exclusive club

• no women (except the "entertainment")
• no middle class
• certainly, no slaves
• sometimes, even certain aristocrats (who didn't have the right connections or who fell out of favor) were excluded.
• Sometimes, aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites (well armed soldiers) and set up an alternative form of gov't called a tyranny.

Draco- (621 BCE)

• All Athenians (rich or poor) are equal under the law; but death is the punishment for a lot of crimes.
• debt slavery is OK (work as a slave to repay debt)

Solon's reforms (594)

• outlaws debt slavery
• all Athenian citizens can speak at the assembly
• any citizen can press charges against wrongdoers.

Cleisthenes- more reforms (around 500 BCE)

• allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate at the assembly.
• created the council of 500 (members randomly chosen)
• but... only a few adult male property owners born in Athens were considered citizens.