Information Regarding Poleis Flashcards
How was the Athenian government structured?
Athens was ruled by a democracy, rule/power of the people.
How was the Spartan government structured?
Sparta was ruled by an Oligarchy, rule of the few.
Why was participation in government highly encouraged or even required?
The states in ancient Greece believed that because the economy and the military relied on the people, they should be involved in how the state was run (within reason).
Each polis had three key components, what were they and why were they important?
- Agora - The marketplace for each polis. It had not only economic functions but political and social as well.
- Sanctuary - Used for worship of the polis’s patron deity.
- Citadel - A fortress of sorts that citizens could flee to if the polis was attacked, usually contained the sanctuary.
What emerged with the polis?
The ability to participate in government and a requirement to fight in the militia (citizen army)
Light infantry / rowers consist of
- Enslaved people
- Poor citizens
- Foreigners
What war technique was the most popular and which polis perfected it?
Sparta perfected the technique the “Phalanx”.
What is the Phalanx?
Phalanx is a battle technique where soldiers are side by side, each has a shield that blocks half of themself and half of their neighbor. This technique means that you are at the mercy of your neighbor.
What are some features of the Phalanx?
- It relies on unified, orderly courage. If someone fled the whole method would be rendered useless.
- It is very inflexible, does not adapt to rapidly changing battle techniques.
What is the most common ship used for naval battle?
The trireme, its most effective battle technique was ramming.
What kind of economy did Ancient Greece operate from? Explain.
Ancient Greece operated through individual household economies. Households were where the most productive labor happened, according to expenses and income. Businesses were run almost entirely out of households.
What were some features of a household economy?
- Household resources
- Women
- Land and agriculture (important crops were beans and lentils, main staples were barley, olive & grapes)
- Enslaved people
- Urban business and trade
What could wealthy households produce?
They could produce textiles, crops and have special businesses (metal work, ceramics, ships, sculptures, instruments).
Would most Greek households own at least one enslaved person?
Yes
What are features of a Polis economy?
- Agora is the centre of the economy
- Sanctuary is a major driver of economy (to build was an investment and polis would entrust it’s public funds to the sanctuary), could supply loans.
- Military action of some kinds were very expensive
- Liturgies, festivals were to funded by the wealthy
- Taxations, eisphora was an emergency taxation for the wealthy and indirect taxes though sales and custom dues.
List of things that were considered to undermine the polis.
- Adultery - only a wife could commit, this would confuse lines of inheritance
- Abusing your parents
- Theft
- Averting military duty
