1. Greek Roots of Democracy

2. Where Is Greece Located?

3. Rise of Greek City States
• Geography of Greece influenced how centers of
power developed (lots of
mountains/islands/valleys)
• City State also called the Polis
• Political unit made up of a city and surrounding lands
• Due to infertile land Greeks often traveled and
expanded overseas creating colonies throughout
the Mediterranean from Spain to Egypt
• Their travels spread their ideas about literature, art

4. Governing the City State
City was built on two
levels
Acropolis (high city)
built of marble
usually dedicated to
different Gods
Below was the main
city (marketplace,
theater, homes)

5. Governing the City-State
Different Types of Government
Monarchy – rule by king or queen
Aristocracy – rule by a privileged upper class
Slowly power shifted from a monarchy to an aristocracy
in this case a class of noble landowners and at first
they supported the king but then once they had enough
power they took over

6. Changes in Warfare
As trade expanded a new middle class emerged of
merchants, farmers and artisans
Changes in military technology increased the power
of the middle class
Iron became cheaper so ordinary citizens could
afford helmets and swords
Phalanx
New method of fighting that united citizens regardless of
class and out defense in the hands of ordinary citizens

7. Changes in Warfare
The new types of warfare led the two most
influential city states to develop different ways of
life
Sparta
Stressed stern discipline
Athens
Glorified the individual and gave more political rights to
more citizens

8. Sparta: A Nation of Soldiers
Government
two kings and a council of Elders who advised the King
An assembly made up citizens approved major
decisions
Citizens were male, native born Spartans over 30
Assembly elected five ephors who held the real power
and ran day to day affairs

9. Sparta: A Nation of Soldiers
Spartan Society
Established themselves as a military state
At age 7 boys began training for life in the military
Girls also had a disciplined upbringing because they
were expected to produce strong males

10. Athens: The Beginnings of Democracy
First place democracy (government by the people)
takes root
Starts off as a monarchy and then develops into an
aristocracy
Discontent spreads amongst citizens and the
merchants and soldiers begin to resent the power of the
nobles and demand more rights
As discontent spread Athens moved slowly towards a
democracy

11. Athens: The Beginnings of Democracy
Solon
Wise and trusted leader who outlawed debt slavery and
freed those slaves who had been sold into slavery to
pay off debts
opened public office to more citizens by loosening
restrictions on citizenship and gave the Assembly more
decision making power.
Reforms ensured fairness and justice but citizenship
was still limited and government positions were only
open to wealthy landowners

12. Athens: The Beginnings of Democracy
Because government positions were only open to
the wealthy landowners tyrants (leaders who gain
power by force) started to emerge
They won the support of merchants and the poor
by promising to make their lives better
Pisistratus
Gave famers/poor citizens a greater voice

13. Athens: The Beginnings of Democracy
Cleisthenes
Brought about a democracy in Athens
Broadened role of citizens
Created Council of 500 (legislature) whose members
were made up of male citizens where they could debate
laws before deciding whether to accept of reject them
Citizens could bring charges against anyone who did
them wrong
PEOPLE DECIDED THE LAWS
THAT WOULD GOVERN THEM

14. Athens: The Beginning of a Democracy
By modern standards Athenian democracy was
quite limited
Only male citizens could participate in government
Women had no role in public life

15. Check for Understanding
Briefly describe Ancient
Greece? What were the
name of the two cities that
emerged and what were
they like?

16. Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C.
Pericles believed all male citizens regardless of
wealth or social class should be involved
Athenians practiced direct democracy where over
6000 Assembly members would meet and decide
matters
Athens began to pay a salary to men who held
office allowing poor men to serve
Jury was established

17. Age of Pericles
“Our plan of government
favors the many instead of the
few; that is why it is called a
democracy.”
~ Pericles

18. Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C.
Pericles hired the best architects and sculptors to
rebuild the Acropolis that had been destroyed
when Greece was attacked by Persia
Although religion was important Greek thinkers
start to think there are also natural laws not
everything is run by God
Pericles surrounded himself with such thinkers, and
writers and artists transforming Athens into the
cultural center of Greece

19. Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C.
The Peloponnesian War
Sparta wanted to end Athenian domination of the Greek
world
Power struggle between Athens and Sparta
Fought for 27 years
Spartans captured Athens ending Athenian domination
of the Greek world. Athens survived as a cultural center
but democracy suffered and soon corruption took over

20. Moral and Ethical Principles
Greek philosophers became concerned with the
idea of goodness and established standards for
human behavior
Sophists
Questioned tradition and “accepted” ideas
Said moral and ethical truths were just opinions and that
success was more important
Taught the art of persuasion

21. Greek Contributions to Political
Thought
Then
Each year an assembly
of citizens elect 3 nobles
to rule them
All citizens participate
Power in the hands of
the people
Divided government
power
Now
Voting for government
officials
All citizens vote
Jury duty
People have power
3 branches of government
Make laws
Carry out laws
Judge, settle disputes