dorian period- dorian and mycenaean started to differ thier culture from ancestors to the local area. government transitioned from tribal to more formal govts called city-states.
governments- a polis was made of a city and its surrounding countryside. citizens of a polis would meet at an acropplis to discuss city government. form of gov differed between city-states.
4 main forms of gov
monarchy- ruled by a king, had complete rule, hereditary, devine right. mycenae in 2000 B.C.
aristocracy- ruled by nobility, rule is hereditary, based on ties, social rank, and wealth.
oligarchy- state ruled by a small group of citizens, based on wealth and ability. ruling group controls military. practiced by sparta by 500 B.C.
direct democracy- state ruled by citizens. majority rule decides vote. citizenship is required to vote. practiced in athens by 500 B.C.
athens- in 600 B.C., athens was taking steps toward democracy. major reforms for the next 100 years would eventually lead to democracy starting around 500 BC.
key players- draco- developed a legal code based on the idea that athenians, rich and poor, were equal under law. had harsh punishments for nearly any crime. believed in debt slavery. the word draconian means extreme cruelty or severity.
solon- stated that no citizen should own another. organized 4 social classes based on wealth. top 3 could hold political office, but all could participate in athenian assembly.
cleisthenes- broke athens up based on region that citizens lived in instead of wealth. increased power of the assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debate. created council of five hundred- proposed laws, counseled assembly, members were chosen at random.
limited democracy in athens. reforms allowed for a limited democracy. citizen requirements- free, adult, property owner, born in athens.
sparta- located in southern part of greece, cut off by gulf of corinth. several branches- assembly, council of elders- 30 older citizens, five elected officials that carried out laws passed by assembly, 2 kings that ruled over spartas military.
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