Ancient Greece: Government & Politics
- In ancient Greece, people directly took part in making decisions through a system called direct democracy, especially noticeable in Athens.
- City-states were independent areas with their own governments and rules, governing themselves alone.
- Oligarchy was another type of government seen in some Greek city-states, where a small group of rich or powerful people held the power.
- Athens, seen as the place where democracy started, allowed its citizens (except for women, slaves, and foreigners) to vote and hold public positions.
- Sparta, known for its focus on the military, was ruled by two kings and a group of elders, showing a different way of ruling.
- The Athenian meeting allowed citizens to gather regularly, discussing and voting on laws and policies affecting their city-state.
- The Council of 500, chosen by chance, played an important role in suggesting laws and overseeing government matters in Athens.
- Lawmakers like Solon and Draco made legal codes and changes to the law, shaping how Athenian society worked.
- Athens used a system where citizens decided legal matters, ensuring fairness.
- Helots were servants owned by the state in Sparta, working the land for the benefit of Spartan citizens.
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was a civilization that existed from the 12th–9th centuries BC to the end of classical antiquity. It was made up of a collection of city-states and other territories that were culturally and linguistically related. Ancient Greece is often referred to as “classical” because it represents a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing that laid the foundation for Western civilization. Alexander the Great was a Greek who was born in 356 BC and is known for conquering dozens of countries and creating an empire that extended as far as India.
In this article, we are going to discuss Ancient Greece with its glorious history and legacy in ancient times.
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