Greek CityStates

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Greek City-States

• An Olympic Feat

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Geography of Greece

• The Greek mainland is a mountainous peninsula
  with excellent harbors. The climate is mild.

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PREDICT

• How do you think the geography of Greece affected
  the early development of Greek life?
• What sort of government do you think would have
  formed in Greece given the terrain?
• What occupations would you expect the Greeks to
  excel in?

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The Greek City-State

• Definition
• Form of government that consisted of a town or
  city and the surrounding land it controlled.

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Characteristics of City-States

• Defined city, enclosed by walls or surrounded by
  water with an acropolis, hilltop fortress, at the
  center
• Tried to have economic independence
• Shared language, culture, and history
• Independent, self-governed state

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Examples of City-States

• Athens
• Sparta
• Argos
• Corinth
• Megara

• Non-examples
• Persian Empire (Greek rivals)
• Egypt
• Ancient China
• London
• New York

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Athens

• Democratic government
• Education valued
• Trade Economy

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Sparta

• Oligarchy government
• Military strength most important
• Harsh treatment of their slaves
• Farming Economy

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Argos

• Agora- Public marketplace
• Located on a plain
• Famous Artisans

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Corinth

• Coastal City-state that became cultural and trade
  center
• Well-educated
• Famous bronze statues, pottery, and vase
  paintings

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Megara

• Coastal City-State
• Famous for textiles
• Own coinage
• Founded city of Byzantium (Constantinople,
  Istanbul) in 630 B.C.E.

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Its ALL Greek to ME!

• Even though each city-state was independent, they
  still thought of themselves as Greek, speaking
  the same language, believing in the same gods,
  and sharing a common heritage.
• The Olympics were an important event to all
  Greeks and every city-state would send a team to
  represent them.

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Olympic Games

• Began around 776 B.C.E.
• Always held at Olympia, one of the oldest
  religious centers in Ancient Greece
• Fewer games than today, footrace original game
• Only free men who spoke Greek could participate
• International truce called a month before the
  games

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Ancient Games
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CitiusAltiusFortius Faster, Higher, Stronger

• Olympic Legacy
• Immortal spirit of antiquity,Father of the true,
  beautiful and good,Descend, appear, shed over us
  thy lightUpon this ground and under this
  skyWhich has first witnessed thy unperishable
  fameGive life and animation to those noble
  games!Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the
  victorsIn the race and in the strife!Create in
  our breasts, hearts of steel!In thy light,
  plains, mountains and seasShine in a roseate hue
  and form a vast templeTo which all nations
  throng to adore thee,Oh immortal spirit of
  antiquity!