Greek Political Systems

6th Grade UBD - Unit 6 - Greek Political Systems

Preview

Experimenting with Government- Greek city-states tried many different types of government.

Athenian Democracy- Democracy in Athens was different from modern democracies. However, its basic ideas are still seen today in governments around the world.

Athens and Sparta-Athens and Sparta were two of the most powerful Greek city-states. They developed societies that were very different from each other. They were constant rivals.

Reach Into Your Background

Greek city-states were ruled by different types of governments. There were advantages and disadvantages to each type of government. Explain what kind of government we have in the United States and some of its advantages and disadvantages.

( 5 minutes)

Partner ActivityWork with a

neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Experimenting with Government

Many Greek city-states began as monarchies. Some became aristocracies or oligarchies. This happened when the aristocrats close to the king overthrew the monarch and took power.

When commoners became unhappy with oligarchies, they supported powerful military men who overthrew the oligarchies. These men set themselves up as tyrants. Some tyrannies were very popular and prosperous. Other tyrants abused their power and became unpopular.

Early Forms of Greek Government

Greece has a unique geography.

Because of this, many early Greek cities were established on islands.

Cities on the mainland were separated by the hills and mountains.

Early Forms of Greek Government

Ancient Greeks built independent city-states rather than one united civilization such as in ancient Egypt or Rome.

Different systems of government were used to rule these city-states.

They went through many changes over time.

Early Forms of Greek Government

The history of Greece, especially in the time of the city-states, was written down by several Greek historians.

Herodotus, often called the “father of history”.

Early Forms of Greek Government

Much of what is known about the political structures of Greece and life in the city-states comes from their writings and from the monuments and art that the civilizations of ancient Greece left behind.

Compare and ContrastSTATUE OF KING LEONIDAS

IN SPARTA.STATUE OF SOCRATES

IN ATHENS.

1. How are these two statues similar? How are they different?2. What can we learn about the views and values of Athens and

Sparta by looking at these photographs?

Key Term

Monarchy- A system in which only one person has the power to rule. This person is usually a king or queen.

Key Term

Oligarchy- When several people have the power to rule. The oligarchs who rose to power in ancient Greece usually came from the upper classes.

Key Term

Tyranny- A government that is ruled by one person who took power by force.

Key Ideas- Athenian Democracy Athenians expanded the access common people had to

government in gradual steps. They did this until all Athenian citizens could take part in government.

In Athens, all citizens had a voice and a vote in the making of laws. Citizens also served on juries. They could run for public office.

Athenian democracy was a direct democracy. This meant that all citizens had a direct role in making laws and running the government.

Athens was the first democracy. It was one of the inspirations for the founders of the U.S. government more than 2,000 years later.

The Beginnings of Democracy

In the 500s BCE, the earliest democracy developed in the city-state of Athens.

Later all Athenian citizens participated in establishing government and laws.

Athenian Democracy

Free male adults whose parents were born in Athens were citizens.

Women were not allowed to take part in government.

Those who lived in Athens but did not have Athenian parents, or who were enslaved, could not become citizens or take part in government.

Ancient Greek Democracy

Athens’ new style of government was a direct democracy. Every qualified citizen could vote. Any man could be called to serve on the assembly or on the jury.

Ancient Greek Democracy

Most democracies today are representative democracies, including the United States.

In a representative democracy, the people elect representatives such as senators or members of Congress.

These representatives make decisions and create laws that mirror the interests of the people.

Key Term

Democracy- A government in which the people have the power to make political decisions. 

Key Term

Direct Democracy- A form of government in which all people, or all citizens, come together to pass laws and make decisions for their communities.

Key TermRepresentative Democracy- People elect representatives such as senators or members of Congress. These representatives make decisions and create laws that mirror the interests of the people.

Political CornerstonesVideo- Political Cornerstones

Democracy Then and NowReading Handout- Democracy Then and Now

Key Ideas- Athens and Sparta Athens built its economy on trade. Because it had wealth

from trade, Athens could become a culturally rich city-state. Athenian boys were trained to become thinkers as well as craftsmen, artists, or businesspeople.

Sparta developed as a farming and military city-state. Spartan citizens trained as warriors to defend their city-state from attacks and uprisings. Spartan boys were trained from birth to become warriors.

Athens and SpartaVideo- Athens and Sparta

Life in Athens

Athens was located near the sea. The surrounding area had little farmland of good quality.

It was easier for Athenians to travel by ship to trade for food and other resources.

Athenian Culture

The people of Athens were able to trade for the things they needed.

They could spend less time working and could focus on cultural pursuits.

Athens became a center of culture.

Societal Roles Men took care of all the daily

responsibilities of their business and their homes.

Men spent much of their time meeting in the public squares to discuss business and politics.

The men of Athens had free time because enslaved people took care of the crops and the homes.

Societal Roles

Women of Athens rarely went into public spaces.

They were expected to stay home. They were expected to do chores and raise children.

Societal Roles

Boys were taught to read and write and to take part in cultural life.

As they grew, they became traders, artisans, and merchants.

When a boy reached 18 years of age, he took the oath of citizenship. He became a full participant in the daily life of Athens.

Societal Roles

Girls had fewer choices and opportunities.

Girls stayed home and were taught by their mothers how to keep a home and raise children.

Women were important to the religious life of Athens. They could become priestesses.

Spartan WarriorsVideo- Spartan Warriors

Life in SpartaReading Handout- Life in Sparta

Life in Ancient Sparta

This led Sparta to create a culture based on military strength.

Sparta based its power on military strength. Spartans spent little time focusing on arts and culture.

Spartan Culture

From birth, Spartan citizens were raised to become soldiers. When a boy was born, he was brought before a council of elders. They examined him to make sure he was healthy. If the boy was found to be healthy, he was returned to his parents. If the council decided the child was not healthy in some way, the baby was taken away from his parents. He was left to die.

Education

When boys reached age seven, they left their families.

They moved into the barracks, or military housing, to begin their training as soldiers.

They remained in training until age 20.

Education

Spartan women also were trained in military techniques. This way, they would be able to defend Sparta if enemies attacked while the men were away. Women performed many exercises to become strong and stay strong. They did this because Spartans believed strong women produced strong children.

Roles in Society

Spartan men had power in government affairs. Women played their own important role in Spartan society.

Spartan women were expected to run the household. They were expected to handle the daily business when the men were unavailable.

Athens and Sparta

Sparta and Athens offered two very different models of how a city-state could function. Sparta triumphed over Athens in the Peloponnesian War.

However, Athens’ influence has been greater over time. The influence of its culture and ideas can still be felt today.

Athens and Sparta

Athens focused on aspects of culture, societal roles, and education.

Sparta stressed military strength and allowed women more freedom than they had in Athens.

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a

neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)