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
Examples of punishment for serious crimes.
- Stoning (the individual and their family)
- Kataskaphe - the act of burning down someone’s home
Explain the two types and the purpose of lead curse tablets.
- Justice seeking - Includes citation of wrong, cursor names themself, an appeal to heavenly gods. Asking for a wrong to be righted. (evidence of roman and hellenistic)
- Non-Justice seeking - Enemy is not accused of doing wrong, cursor remains anonymous, an appeal to gods of the earth. Try to compel the gods to punish whoever.
Information being Emic means?
Information from said person.
Information being Etic means?
Information from other people.
Why is the term slave incorrect?
Slave infers that it is an identity, because slavery is imposed on someone it would be a condition. Therefore enslaved person is more correct to say.
What are three defining traits of slavery?
- Subjection to absolute power
- Natal alienation
- Utter dishonor
How did states enslave people?
- born into slavery
- bought/traded
- War
- Kidnapped by land or sea
Price of an enslaved person was dependent on what?
How much use you could get out of the individual.
What were the major slavery hubs?
Aegina, and later in Hellenistic period it was Delos.
Seller of an enslaved person was expected to disclose what?
Any hidden “defects”
Average cost of a slave was?
179 Drachma ($32 220 CAD)
What kind of enslaved people were more valuable?
- youth
- strength
- beauty
- tradesmen
What are 5 domains of enslaved people?
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Craftwork and Trades
- Domestic service
- Sex trade
Highly skilled enslaved people were privileged in what way?
- could live independently
- could marry
What is a Paedagogue?
An educated enslaved person who was entrusted with the early education of young children within the home.
What is are Auletrides?
They were flute girls, used for entertainment at symposiums and festivals. But also used in other ways if you know what i mean.
What is a Pallake?
A concubine. This was an enslaved person paid to act like a wife, was a long term companion
Features of Hetairai.
- Well educated
- skilled socially
- could be a companion long term
- lived independently
- could purchase freedom
Punishments of enslaved people could be what?
Violent
deprivation
Scythian archers acted as
security at public events
guards at jail
executioners
ultimate tool of coercion was
allowing enslaved person to believe they could be freed
Most free people would continue to owe obligations to former master, true or false?
true
Rewards to enslaved people were of what?
- gifts such as better food, clothing, shelter
- able to start family
