westerm civ day 12

Warring City-States

Polis- a Greek city-state - the fundamental political unit of ancient Greece after about 750 B.C.

Acropolis- a fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city

Monarchy- a government in which power is in the hands of a single person

Aristocracy- a government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class

Tyrant- in ancient Greece, a powerful individual who gained control of a city-state's government by appealing to the poor for support

Oligarchy- a government in which power is in the hands of a few people - especially one in which rule is based upon wealth

Democracy- a government controlled by its citizens, either directly or through representatives

Building a Democracy 
The first step toward a Democracy came when a nobleman named Draco took power. In 621 B.C., Draco developed a legal code based on the idea that all Athenians, rich and poor, were equal under the law. Draco's code dealt very harshly with criminals, making death the punishment for practically ever crime. It also upheld such practices as debt for slavery, in which debtors worked as slaves to repay their debts.
- Solon outlawed debt slavery
- He broke up the power of the nobility by organizing citizens into ten groups based on where they lived rather than on their wealth

Athenian Education
For the most part, only the sons of wealthy families received formal education. Schools began around the age of seven and prepared boys to be good citizens. They studied reading, grammar, poetry, history, mathematics, and music. They also did athletic activities to keep themselves physical fit. The girls did not go to school, they were educated at home by there mothers and other female members of the household. They learned about child-rearing, weaving clothes, preparing meals and managing the household.

Sparta Builds a Military State
helot- in a society of ancient Sparta, a peasant bound to the land

Sparta's Government and Society
Spartan government had several branches. Spartan citizens elected officials and voted on major issues. Five elected officials carried out the laws passed by the assembly. These men also controlled education and prosecuted court cases. In addition, two kings ruled over Sparta's military forces.

Spartan Daily Life
From 600 until 371 B.C., Sparta had the most powerful army in Greece. Spartan people paid a high price for their military supremacy, because of this Spartans did not value the arts, literature, or other artistic and intellectual pursuits. Spartan girls also had hardy lives. They received some military training, and they also ran, wrestled, and played sports.

Phalanx- a military formation of foot soldiers armed with spears and shields

Persian Wars- a series of wars in the fifth century B.C., in which Greek city-states battled the Persian Empire

Consequences of the Persian Wars
Greek city-states felt a new sense of confidence and freedom. Athens grew and they used their power to control other league members. This city was entering its brief golden age.

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