The Ancient Greek city-states had a variety of government types for which they were run. Of the those various systems, they can be categorized into monarchies, aristocracies, tyrannies, oligarchies and democracies. In this essay I will describe each and compare and contrast them as they pertained to the Greek city-states. Though the city-states differed in their system of government, most started with a monarchy, transitioning into oligarchies, tyrannies and later, democracies. (Carr, 2017).
The word monarchy is taken from the Greek roots, monos - meaning alone, and arkhein - meaning to rule. So monarchy literally means ruling of one. (Monarchy, n.d.). Though, as Carr mentioned, most city-states started with monarchies, we aren’t familiar with them in learning about Athens and Sparta. Although Sparta did have kings, they had 2 at a time, which would mean that this wasn’t a true monarchy. The rule of the kings was also limited and “subject to the will of the Gerousia and the Ephors.” (Brand, n.d.). We do see a monarchy developing later in 336 BCE with Alexander the Great (Brand, n.d.).
Similar to monarchies were tyranies which came about “in cases where the sole ruler had usurped power by force
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Reforms made by Solon and Cleisthenes led to the creation of a democratic form of government but democracy back then was not quite the ideal that we think of today. Of the roughly 250,000 inhabitants of Athens, only about 30,000 were citizens and eligible to participate in the political process but only about 5,000 would attend the popular assembly meetings regularly (Cartledge, 2011). That is only 2% of the population making decisions for all. Many aristocrats were opposed to democracy as they viewed it as mob rule. In fact, Aristotle himself was a bigger fan of aristocracy than of democracy (Gill,
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.
“Compare and contrast monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy as forms of government in Ancient Greek city-states”
Athens’ governmental shift in 501 BC was unprecedented and innovative, being the first notable implementation of democracy in an ancient world inundated in monarchy. This form of government, founded by Cleisthenes, has been instrumental in Western Civilization, especially since the modern age. Democracy gave Athens life, providing not only a well functioning governing system, but also enabling the city-state to grow and survive multiple Persian invasions. However, at the dawn of the Athenian empire and the rise of Pericles, democracy began to die, and Greeks lost their love of freedom when they sought power and glory through their military conquests. I argue that Athenian’s rejection of democracy can be seen through their mistreatment of other states and their lust for power and glory.
Monarchy is a method where a single person oversees the government. This head of state reigns within bounds of a constitution but still creates a single entity with extreme power. Personal beliefs often override best practices.
“With the Polis, the Greeks established a new type of political structure” (McKay 119) where poleis with it’s own distinctive system of government. While the Poleis were not the first forms of city-states to emerge, they were more than a political institution. Communities of citizens with their own customs and laws and after 800
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...
A system of government in which one person reigns, usually a king or queen. The authority, or crown, in a monarchy is generally inherited by the eldest son. The ruler, or monarch, is often only the head of state, not the head of governme
Solon & Cleisthenes: lawmakers of Athens In 510 B.C the first known democratic constitution was created by Solon, lawgiver of Athens. Almost a century later, Solon’s reforms were modified by Cleisthenes. The laws in a particular city or state today should reflect on equality and human rights; but until the implementation of Solon’s and Cleisthenes’ reforms, the aristocratic families of Athens ruled over the poorer citizens. The term democracy is ambiguous, but Abraham Lincoln (1863) defines it as the “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” This modern take on democracy should guarantee basic personal and political rights to every individual person, everywhere, every day.
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.
In the ancient Greek city-states, the monarchy was rare as a form of government. Sparta did have a form of monarchy in that there were 2 kings, but there were elements of different forms of government within Sparta, including oligarchy, democracy, and aristocracy. The Spartan monarchy kings were from two different families. However, Sparta also had a council of elders called the Gerousia to contribute to its oligarchy; there was also a bit of democracy in that there was an assembly of people. (Gill, 2008).
Before democracy, Athens was a city-state no different than any other. A few powerful, aristocratic families controlled all governing power. Most of the population held little or no role in the political life of the city. Athenians changed this, and created a system where participation was encouraged and opinions were valued. While some other Greek cities were also setting up democracies, none were as stable or well documented as that of Athens. The reason for why the Athenians moved toward a democratic society instead of an oligarchy or monarchy is still debated by historians. However, one common belief is that it rose due to a rapid population growth in their lower class, which may have caused them to have more power in the government compared to other Greek poleis during the Lyric Age. This time period took place between 800 and 500 B.C.; it represents a very vibrant, evolutionary stage in Greek history. The rise of the lower class in Athens probably did help spark ideas of democracy, yet the significant contributions of the political leadership of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles can undisputedly be credited for the primary development of Athenian democracy. In 594 B.C., the first major political and economic reformer Solon came into power. The next reformer was Cleisthenes; he lived from 570 to 508 B.C. The final, and most revolutionary of the three was Pericles. Pericles is responsible for the last and most glorious stage of Athens. By expanding its power and building patriotic pride, he forever changed the system of democracy.
The ancient Greece was divided among several hundreds of city-states called “Poleis”. Within this poleis, Athens and Sparta were the most powerful, significant, largest and significant states.
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.