Greek Government
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Greek Government Ms. Anderson, Grade 10 History
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Greek Government. Ms. Anderson, Grade 10 History. Early Forms of Greek Government. In the beginning, most city-states had their own king, elected by a council of elders. However, once the city-states started growing and gaining power, the kings became less powerful. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Greek Government
Greek GovernmentMs. Anderson, Grade 10 History
Early Forms of Greek Government
In the beginning, most city-states had their own king, elected by a council of elders.
However, once the city-states started growing and gaining power, the kings became less powerful.
The position of archon (an aristocrat who supervises government administration) was created, voted by the landowners.
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Tyrants During the era of the kings, there were two classes of
people: aristocrats (landowners) and a lower class of non-landowners. The latter could not vote.
However, trade increased as kings lost their power, and a new middle class of Greeks was formed. These people were able to buy land, and demanded a voice in their government.
Since this middle class had more money, they were also able to by weapons (you can probably see where this is going…)
Tyrants As the middle class bought arms, the hoplite (a type
of soldier equipped with bronze armor and weapons) emerged.
Hoplites were lead by tyrants – someone who championed the middle class and seized power unconstitutionally.
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Democracy in Athens By the fifth century BCE, Athens had established a direct
democracy.
This meant that every man 18 years and older had the right to vote on legislation, speak at the assembly, and run for public office.
There were four levels to the democracy: the assmebly, the council of 500, lesser of magistrates and the generals.
The assembly (ecclesia) was the most important government institution in Athenian democracy.
Democracy in Athens Another part of the democracy was the Council of
Five Hundred. Each member had to be at least 30 years old, and you could only serve on the council once in your lifetime.
They elected ten generals (strategos) each year.
Pericles (the man who lost the Peloponnesian War for Athens by accidently giving everyone the plague) was one of these strategos, and was reelected 15 years in a row.
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Oligarchy in Sparta Oligarchy – a government controlled by a very few
individuals.Kings – Sparta had two at a time: one for the military and one for the government
Ephors – Five men who directed the affairs of the state, and had the authority to arrest kings.
Council of Elders – aka the “Gerousia”, the advised the kings. 28 men over the age of 60.
Assembly of Citizens – Consisted on men 30+ years old, met once a month, voted on various proposals
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