the greek polis

Question 1

plural of polis

Answer 1

poleis

Question 2

what was the polis

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

How was an individual polis separate from other poleis

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

where did most of the population of a polis live

Answer 4

• in the city rather than being spread across small farm communities in the surrounding territory

Question 5

what was at the heart of the urban area

Answer 5

• usually a sacred space with one or more temples

Question 6

community

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

how did they create a social identity to differentiate a polis from others

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Greek society

Answer 8

it was dominated by the male citizen, with his full legal status, right to vote, hold public office and own property

Question 9

However - greek society

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Males - Aristoi

Answer 10

money, armour, horse, property, fertile land, clans, political monopoly

Question 11

Males- 2nd class

Answer 11

land further from the city and less productive plots

Question 12

Males - business class

Answer 12

trade and commerce, struggled to break into politics

Question 13

Women

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

Slaves

Answer 14

• 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