Politics of Athens Flashcards
Who were two key figures in Early Philosophy in Athens?
Socrates and the sophists.
What were significant cultural aspects in Athens during this period?
Art and architecture, drama and dramatic festivals, religion.
Which playwright wrote ‘Hippolytus’?
Euripides.
What does the term ‘tyranny’ refer to in the context of ancient Greece?
A person who has taken full control of a country unconstitutionally.
Define Oligarchy.
Rule of a few people, usually rich aristocrats.
What is Democracy?
When the people elect the person who rules.
What does ‘Demos’ refer to?
The people who vote for a ruler.
What is a ‘Polis’?
A city in Greece.
Where is Athens located?
In the region of Attica.
What is a ‘Metic’?
A resident in Athens who came from another city.
How was tyranny viewed in ancient Greece?
Simply a sole ruler who had taken power unconstitutionally.
What was the relationship between tyrants and the aristocracy?
Tyrants were typically disillusioned members of the aristocracy.
What does ‘oligos’ and ‘arche’ mean in Greek?
‘Oligos’ means few and ‘arche’ means rule.
Which political structure did most Greek poleis start as?
Oligarchies.
What does ‘Demos’ and ‘kratos’ mean?
People and power.
What negative connotation did the term ‘democracy’ have for some educated writers?
Referring to the ill-educated masses controlling the state.
What is the significance of ‘The Old Oligarch’?
One of the earliest examples of critical writing on Athenian democracy.
What was the estimated population of Athens during the fifth century?
Between 30,000 and 60,000 citizens.
What was the area controlled by the state of Athens referred to as?
The polis of Athens.
What were the legal rights of Metics in Athens?
No political rights but some legal rights, required an Athenian sponsor.
Who were considered eligible citizens in Athens before 451 BC?
Free adult males over the age of eighteen inheriting citizenship from a citizen father.
What was the citizenship requirement after 451 BC?
Both parents had to be Athenian.
What was the condition of free Athenian women under Athenian law?
Regarded as minors.
True or False: Slaves had many legal rights in Athens.
False.
What geographical features characterized the region of Athens?
Combination of mountain ranges and plains.
What types of crops were primarily grown in Athens?
Olive trees and grapes.
Fill in the blank: The Athenian population included between _______ citizens.
30,000 and 60,000.
What is the significance of the term ‘polis’?
Refers to all the land a polis controlled, not just the city.
