the greek polis Flashcards
1
Q
plural of polis
A
poleis
2
Q
what was the polis
A
- typical structure of a community in the ancient greek world
- consisted of an urban centre, often fortified, with a sacred centre which controlled a surrounding territory of land
3
Q
How was an individual polis separate from other poleis
A
- independent in terms of politcal, judicial, legal, religious and social institutions and practises, each polis was in effect like a state
- each was also involved in international affairs in the areas of trade, political alliances and wars
4
Q
where did most of the population of a polis live
A
- in the city rather than being spread across small farm communities in the surrounding territory
5
Q
what was at the heart of the urban area
A
- usually a sacred space with one or more temples
6
Q
community
A
- many poleis also had a designated space for public assembly, either for politics or entertainment e.g. theatre, gymnasium
- this was key to function as a community
7
Q
how did they create a social identity to differentiate a polis from others
A
- polis specific festivals and celebrations on specific dates of the year
- usually of a religious nature, reinforced he ideas that the polis had a unique founder and patron daity
8
Q
Greek society
A
it was dominated by the male citizen, with his full legal status, right to vote, hold public office and own property
9
Q
However - greek society
A
- the social groups which made up a typical polis were diverse
- women, children, immigrants, labourers, slaves all had defined roles,
- but there was interaction between classes and also some movement between social groups i.e. for 2nd generation offspring and during times of stress ice war
10
Q
Males - Aristoi
A
money, armour, horse, property, fertile land, clans, political monopoly
11
Q
Males- 2nd class
A
land further from the city and less productive plots
12
Q
Males - business class
A
trade and commerce, struggled to break into politics
13
Q
Women
A
- unable to vote, owen land or inherit
- domestic life rearing children, waving and doing wool work
- organised marriages
- sex workers either in a brotherl or as a higher class prostiiturue
14
Q
Slaves
A
- acquired through war and conquest, kidnap and purchace
- owned by state to do municipal projects
- worked in industry, agriculture, the home, mines, transport, retail, banking, army