Greek Government
Ancient Greece was not one nation, as we think of countries of the world today. As Greece entered the 8th century BCE, a number of 'city-states' had begun to form, each with its own political, legal and social systems. Each city (polis) functioned much like a state and there were alliances and conflicts that frequently emerged between them. Most famous among these city states are Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, Rhodes, Syracuse and Macedonia and each had a distinct form of government (Mark, 2013).
It is hard to point to a city-state and say they have a "pure" version of one form for any extended period of time. Common across all the city-states is that their approach to governing was constantly evolving and often mixed elements from different concepts of to meet the
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Prior to the adoption of democracy in Athens, wealthy aristocrats owned land and controlled the government and there was little opportunity for poor land owners. Solon laid the groundwork for democracy, but even under democratic rule, there was the sense in Athens that the aristocracy should have more influence and wealthier individuals had access to different levels of participation in government (Brand, n.d.). Oligarchy is rule by a small or exclusive group selected based on some agreed upon criteria, and this might have been one of the more common forms of government in ancient Greek city states. It shares characteristics to Aristocracy in that a small group controls the many but does not rely on just one individual as is true of monarchy or tyranny. Sparta has elements of an oligarchy, paired with its two kings. A minority of men from wealthy families made up the Gerousia. Upon turning 60 years old, Spartan aristocrats were eligible to join the elite group that ultimately decided what issues were heard by the general assembly known as the Ephors (Brand,
By the fourth century B.C.E. there were hundreds of Greek democracies. Greece was not a single political entity it was a collection of about 1500 separate poleis or cities scattered around the Mediterranean and black sea shores. The cities that were not democracies were either oligarchies or monarchies (often times called tyrannies). Of the democracies, the oldest, the most stable, the most long-lived, and the most radical, was Athens.
In the “Protagoras,” Socrates and Protagoras debate why participation in government is open to all citizens, but technical matters, such as health, works of art, and the construction of buildings require qualified individuals. The argument presupposes that integrity and acumen are the necessary virtues that citizens must lean and apply for a properly functioning democracy.
Sparta and Athens - Explain and Contrast Both Sparta and Athens were Greek city-states. Sparta was a strict military ruled city-state where the people established themselves as a military power early. However Athens was more of a political city-state that was more involved with their economical stature than their military forces. Still changes from the Persian wars would change the powers of the city-state and somewhat unite them.
Following Greek’s “Dark Age,” the Archaic Age (circa 800-500 B.C.E.) led to important political changes for the region, with the most important one being the development of the city-state called a polis (plural poleis). While there were a number of developments during the Archaic Age, perhaps the most valuable lessons that can be drawn from Greek civilization and from the formation and evolution of the Greek poleis.
Sparta contained a four branch government system that was considered among the most unique in all of Greece. Unlike the democracy of Athens, Sparta was based on an oligarchy structure. The diarchy, which consisted of two kings, was the first division of this government. These figures held little influence over the state and served more as a symbol of royal heritage (Kennell 83). The second branch was the Gerousia council which acted as an advising body and hel...
However, in both Greek and Roman democracy, true equality was virtually non-existent. Only native men above the age of 18 were permitted to vote, thus; women, slaves, children and immigrants were excluded. Therefore, in Athens during the 4th Century BCE only approximately 45,000 people out of an estimated population of 300,000 were eligible to vote (Patterson 2006). Similarly, estimates suggest that at the height of the Roman Empire only 30,000-70,000 Romans, the maximum capacity of The Forum, would have been able to vote - a comparatively insignificant percentage of the total Roman population (Patterson 2006). Additionally, members of the social elite were granted preferred entry to The Forum, as they were viewed as more politically astute (Patterson 2006). This indicates that, although public meetings and voting played a central role in Roman life, “those involved were likely to be a select and unrepresentative body” (Patterson 2006 pp. 355). Hence, the role of common people was largely a façade, and represented a selection between, and validation of, members of the social elite.
In an oligarchy only a few are chosen to rule. A small group usually made out of the rich decides everything for the people. Like the laws, leaders, and other important political things. Poor people otherwise known as peasants had no say in the government. This idea of government was introduced during during the time of Ancient Greece. This type of government is great for people with money but if you don’t you don’t have a say in government at all, at least if you're alone. This is
Sparta and Athens both had Oligarchies between the 7th century B.C and 5th century B.C. Until Cleisthenes reformed Athens and installed a new council of 500, that proposed laws that the assembly would vote on. Spartan oligarchy had a council of elders that consisted of two kings and 28 men over the age of 60 who had served in the Spartan military. This differed from a democracy because the assembly did not make laws, but just passed them. There was also no open debate or discussion. These governments and political institutions although we're both expressions of hellenic culture, manifested because of the virtues and cultures of Athens and Sparta as well as their history. Athens became a democracy because of its openness to new ideas and great education, as well as the enslavement of the Athenian farmers via debt. In the Age of Pericles, Athens flourished culturally and politically. They had a direct democracy and had seen the growth of the arts and intellect divisions. When the
One of the versions of governing is an oligarchy, a small group of people in control of a country. In book eight of the republic Plato explains the meaning of an oligarchy and when it is very unsuccessful. It doesn't work because whoever has the most wealth can take part in ruling over the city. Plato even explains "when virtue and riches are placed together in the scales of the balance, the one always rises as the other falls...
Ancient Greece today is most known for the culture: the gods, the dramas, how people lived. What most people do not realize is that there were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different civilizations spread throughout Greece that all had different forms of government. The three main ones were Athens, Sparta, and Miletus. Each was very different from the other. The most powerful out of all three was Sparta: a military based society. The Spartan government had a strong foundation that was all torn down by one bad leader.
These governments came in different styles such as a monarchy which was led by a king. Another form of government that was seen among the Greeks was aristocracy in which the polis was ruled by a small group of noble, land owning families. One of the more notable polis of ancient Greek was that of Sparta in which they used the oligarchy as there form of government. This type of government is where the people are ruled by a few powerful people. Finally, there was democracy which means “rule of the people” (The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome 1-7). This was the government that Athens utilized and helped establish. These varying types of government can be seen throughout governments today, however, it is the government established by the Athenians and their political structure that had a greater impact on the west than that of its Greek polis counterparts.
Democracy was a revolutionary development for the Ancient Greek society it was an innovative idea which gave the citizens of Ancient Greeks the freedom to participate in the governmental system and contribute in the processes and decisions, this in turn helped Ancient Greece succeed politically and economically. This democratic society not only helped Greece succeed in the Mediterranean region but also influenced modern day society. The Ancient Greeks succeeded significantly and were highly advanced for this period, the progressive thoughts and ideas demonstrated by individuals in this society contributed to the development of democracy in Athens which has become one of the most beneficial forms of government created.
Governing has never been an easy task during the times of ancient Athens and Sparta. Both equally were ahead of their time by giving their people an actual voice and weight when making decisions. Unfortunately, neither of these civilizations lasted the great length of time.
The Greeks system of democracy was an entirely new concept when it was created, and one that has had lasting affects as it continues to influence present day politics around the globe. Modern day democracies may very well not exist if it wasn’t for the success the Athenians had with democracy. Today we look back at these ancient civilizations and we try to better our current society by learning from their mistakes and building on their success.
This week’s written assignment is to compare and contrast monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy as forms of government in Ancient Greek city-states. I will address each form of government, providing examples of each and will include applicable comparisons and/or contrasts.