The Polis – Athenians – and Spartans!

The Rise of the Polis – The City State!

● During the Dark Age groups of Greeks lived in small bands or communities under leaders typically called Basileus (Mycenaean for King)

● The structure of the Polis typically had an Agora (Meeting place and marketplace), Gymnasion, a place of song and dance (Greek theater), fields, pastures, and vineyards.

● Difference between a modern city: The Polis was self governing and the possession / control of territory (Agricultural based economy)

Agora – Theatre – Gymnasion – Fields

Ruling a Polis

● The Greeks themselves identified the Polis with its citizens – It was not Athens that acted but the “Athenians” or “Spartans” or “Corinthians”

● The early Polis was ruled by the “best” families or aristocracy – They had the resources for adequate diet and education – Their lives were spent in the pursuits of warefare, games, philiosphy, and feasting. Officials were elected by the families – This form of government is known as a Oligarchy (elders)

● Some scholars believe that the Polis had its foundations in Phoenician culture

Athenian Democracy – An interesting turn of events

● A large navy, a case for Democracy???

● In the 6th century BC Athens relied heavily upon the Tireme (Greek Warship) – This detail would lead to a change of government

● Over 20,000 rowers were kept on the ready for orders in Athens. These rowers were from the lower class (not Slaves – rowing is too important for slaves)

● The growing lower class meant a move towards more rights, less the lower class gets disgruntled

● To create stability Athens ADAPETED its government to cope

Who can we credit for Reform?

● Draco (Lawgiver) 621BC

● A law code was created in writing and enshrined in public (The first Constitution of Athens). Prior law consisted of oral law / blood feuds

● The law distinguished between murder and man slaughter (something we still distinguish today)

● Furthermore, the laws applied to everyone.

Solon - 7th BC

● He canceled all small debts for farmers and and outlawed debt slavery

● Limited the land one person could own ● Gave the assembly the power to veto

laws passed by the council of nobles● He made it difficult for one person to

control allot of land or another person.

● Other Reforms: Foreign tradesmen could gained citizenship (if a family was brought), fathers encouraged to find trades for their sons, and higher exports of olives

Pisistratus - 6th BC

● Share the wealth!

● Struck down the laws which only allowed land owners the right of citizenship. (Remember all the lower class Athenian rowers)

● He broke up large estates and divided it among the people

● Also built the first aqueduct in Athens allowing for a much larger populations

Cleisthenes - 6th BC

● He would add the final reforms that would create Athens into a true democracy

● His reforms brought about free speech and true equality before the law

● All citizens could become members in the Assembly

● The Assembly powers were vastly improved: They could pass laws (rather then approving them), to elect 10 general for the armed forces, and serve as a supreme court

What the heck is the Assembly?

● Not to be confused with the council of 500 (dealt with city finances)

● Every male citizen over the age of eighteen could vote in the assembly which made all important decision in the 5th century BC – declarations of war, military strategy, election of generals, and officials

● The Assembly met once every month (sunrise to midday)

● Aristocrats typically laid out the order of the day and brought motions forth – they could afford learning the art of rhetoric (the crowd could heckle during this time)

● Votes were done by a show of hands● Members of the Assembly were given a

days pay

Athenian Education

● The purpose of Athenian education was to produce “well learned” citizens – The focus of education was not on a particular trade but bits of everything. Healthy body / Healthy Mind

● The first years of a child were devoted to health and playing

● Most Athenian boys went to school between the ages of 7-14 – schools were private and relatively cheap

● Girls would be schooled at home in the ways of motherhood and housekeeping. Though, some families would hire private tutors

● School typically went from dawn to noon – teachers were usually retired military men

● Schools were extremely strict in terms of discipline and mistakes

What did they learn?

● Reading / Writing studies – Literacy was very important to the Athenians

● Math and calculations done on a board of wax● Memorization of the “classics” - some could

recite the Iliad or Odyssey word for word

● Music: Taught to sing and play the lyre (7 string harp)

● Exposure to “good” music – concerts

● Physical education: In the afternoon students were brought to the Palaestra (smaller form of the Gymnasium)

● Students would douse themselves in Olive oil and participate in various sports.

● The aim was to create fit, coordinated, and healthy citizens

● *After completion of school (18-20 years) – An able bodied citizen would complete 2 years of military service.

Who were the Spartans?

● They were considered the ultimate military power in Greece

● The Spartans spoke a form of Dorian Greek while the Athenians spoke Ionic Greek

● Unlike Athens who sat on the coast – The Spartans sat isolated 46KM in land

● Lets think about geography....

Spartan social order

● Helots were considered in a perpetual state of war with the Spartans. A Spartan could kill a Helot without penalty. They did this to control the numbers (they were afraid of rebellion)

● Women shared a special place in Spartan society. They could own land, inherit wealth, equal rights in divorce, girls educated like boys, and had a focus on physical education / literacy

Government system

● Sparta was ruled by two co-kings from certain hereditary lines. The head of the army was chosen by the people.

● The council of 30 (Gerontes): These were people of noble blood voted to the council. They would hold this position for the rest of their lives. They influenced political affairs and acted as a Pseudo court

● The Ephors: A council of 5 elected each year. They had SIGNIFIGANT Power. Anyone could try to join the Ephors. They acted as a supreme court and could charge the king! Two always went on campaign with the king.

● Demos: Assembly of the people held once a month. They also voted people into office

Reformers

● Lycurgus was a legendary Spartan reformer who lived around the 8th century BCE

● His reforms focused on creating the three Spartan virtues: equality, austerity, and military fitness.

● His changes focused on limiting lavish lifestyles (ownership of gold / silver) and creating of the Agoge

Agoge – Spartan education

● The Agoge began with the pregnancy of the mother – during her pregnancy she was subject to intense physical exercise.

● Both males and females were subject to the same education – except for one key difference. The boy would leave for the barracks around age 7.

● Once arriving to the barracks the boy would be owned by the state – not by his family

● Education consisted of hardships, drill, discipline, loyalty, ad bravery

● The Paidonomos or teacher would keep a watchful eye over the children. Punishments would be extremely severe

● Children were deprived of food and expected to “sneak” and use cunning to eat

Extreme education cont.

● The first stage of education lasted 6 years – they learned how to wear and move in armor. They memorized patriotic poems and songs. Children were placed into groups for competitions and to create camaraderie

● No hygiene was allowed in the Agoge – except for special circumstances

● The second stage of training consisted of exclusive military training/ education. There were mock battles, ambushes, and weapon training on the daily

● At age 18 the youths were allowed to join the Spartan reserve or Crpteia (secret police)

● At age 20 the student could apply to join a public Spartan mess. If they failed to join a public mess they would never be citizens