Wednesday notes blog

During the Dorian period people started to identify culture of their ancestors less and more with the local area
Polis was made up of a city and its surrounding countryside, which would include numerous villages
Citizens of the polis would come together to meet at an acropolis to discuss their city government
Not all city-states had the same form of government
Monarchy- state ruled by king
Rule is hereditary
Some rulers claim that they have a divine right to rule
Practiced in Mycenae by 2000 B.C.
Divine right- ruled by god
Aristocracy- state ruled by nobility
Rule is hereditary and based on ties, social rank, wealth
Social status and wealth support rulers authority
Practiced in Athens prior to 594 B.C.
Oligarchy- ruled by a small group of citizens
Rule is based on wealth and/or ability
Ruling group controls the military
practiced in Sparta by 500 B.C.

Direct Democracy- ruled by the citizens

Rule is based on citizenship

Majority rule decides vote
Practiced in Athens by 500 B.C.
Athens was taking steps towards a democracy
Major reforms that led to a democracy starting around 500 B.C.
Draco developed a legal code based on the idea that all Athenians, rich and poor, were equal under law
He had very harsh punishments for nearly any crime
Believed in debt slavery
Draconian- extreme cruelty or severity
Solon stated no citizen should own another
Organized Athens into 4 social classes based on wealth
Only top 3 classes could hold political office
However, all 4 could participate in the Athenian assembly
Cleisthenes broke Athens up based on region rather than wealth
Increased power of assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debate and passage
Created council of 500
Proposed laws
Counseled the assembly
Members were chosen at random

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