Learning objective: To understand the different types of government in ancient Greece

Ancient Greece

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Do you know what a government is?

How would you describe it?

Think, pair, then share your ideas.

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A government is in charge of a place; they are responsible for making the laws and rules which people in the area must live by.

AthensCorinth

Sparta

Argos

DelphiThebes

Map showing six of the largest and most powerful city-states in ancient Greece

Ancient Greece had no central government. People lived in city-states (called 'polis' in ancient Greece). At the centre of each city-state was a powerful city which ruled the area surrounding it.

At one point in history, it is estimated that there were over 1000 city-states. Some were very small, but others, like Athens and Sparta, were huge and powerful.

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The city-states were often at war with one another, and occasionally teamed up against a common enemy. People were free to visit or even move to another city-state if they wished. When describing themselves, a person would not say 'I am a Greek', but instead would say, 'I am a man of Athens', or 'I am a man of Sparta', using the name of their home city-state.

Each city-state was completely independent from the others, with their own form of government;

usually a monarchy, oligarchy or democracy.

Have you heard any of these words before? Can you explain what they mean?

Think, pair, then share your ideas.

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Ruled by a king City-state example: Corinth

monarchy

Ruled by a small group of people City-state example: Sparta

oligarchy

Ruled by many people City-state example: Athens

democracy

The three main forms of government in ancient Greece were:

AthensCorinth

Sparta

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The word 'monarchy' comes from the greek root words 'monos' (meaning 'one') and 'arkhein' (meaning 'rule').

From c. 2000 BC to c. 800 BC, most areas of ancient Greece were ruled by a monarch. This was always a king, as women were not allowed to have power. When one king died, their power was passed on to their children – usually the eldest son.

Let's explore monarchy in more detail...

Although they had advisers to help them make decisions, the kings of ancient Greece had total power, making laws and setting taxes, acting as judge and deciding punishments for those who disobeyed the laws, and leading the army during wars.

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The word 'oligarchy' comes from the greek root words 'oligos' (meaning 'few') and 'arkhein' (meaning 'rule').

Between c. 800 BC and c. 650 BC, most parts of Greece were ruled by an oligarchy government. This usually consisted of a small group of rich men, who shared power and made decisions together.

Now let's explore oligarchy in more detail...

Many oligarchs were unpopular, as they used their power to pass laws which made rich people richer, and increased taxes for poor people. They also used the army to force people to obey their laws. By 650 BC, only Sparta had a stable oligarchy, where two kings shared power.

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The word 'democracy' comes from the greek root words 'demos' (meaning 'people') and 'kratos' (meaning 'power').

Now let's explore democracy in more detail...

The city-state of Athens was the first to introduce the idea of 'direct' democracy, where the power to make decisions was in the hands of the people, who were called citizens. Each year, a 'drawing' took place, where the names of 500 citizens were chosen at random. These citizens formed the council, who were responsible for making new laws. The rest of the citizens living within the city-state (who were called the assembly) then voted for or against the new law. The majority ruled. A new council was chosen every year.

'Citizens' were men who had completed their military training. Women, children and slaves could not be citizens.

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Now it's time for you to explore the

different governments of Ancient Greece

yourself!

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Plenary:

Which do you think is the best system of government? Explain your opinions.

monarchy oligarchy democracy