Sparta and Athens Section 2 Pg Ch. 7 The Ancient Greeks Tyranny in the City-States someone who takes power by force and rules with total authority Tyrants overthrew the nobles because they had the backing of the common people (farmers, merchants, & artisans) tyrants Tyranny in the City-States The Greek people eventually tired of the tyrants and created oligarchies or democracies An oligarchy is a form of government in which a few people hold power A democracy is a form of government in which all citizens share power Sparta was an oligarchy Athens was a democracy To obtain more land, Spartans conquered and enslaved their neighbors, calling them helots To obtain more land, Spartans conquered and enslaved their neighbors, calling them helots To keep the helots from rebelling, the Spartans created a strong military of boys and men Boys and men trained for war Why Was the Military So Important? Spartan girls were trained in sports They were freer than other Greek women Why Was the Military So Important? The Spartan government was an oligarchy 2 kings headed a council of elders Council presented laws to an assembly, which voted on the laws What was Spartas Government Like? Boys in Athens attended school to learn reading and writing Athenian girls learned to spin, weave, and do other household duties household duties from their mothers Solon A noble who canceled farmers debts and freed all slaves The government of early Athens was an oligarchy A noble named Solon reformed the Athenian government in 594 B.C. The tyrant Peisistratus seized power 30 years after Solons rule Cleisthenes took power in 508 B.C. He created a democracy in Athens He created a democracy in Athens He gave the assembly more power He gave the assembly more power He also created a new council to help the assembly carry out its duties He also created a new council to help the assembly carry out its duties Members of the council were chosen by lottery Members of the council were chosen by lottery Section 2 Review: Reading Summary The support of wealthy merchants and artisans helped tyrants seize power from nobles in the city- states. The support of wealthy merchants and artisans helped tyrants seize power from nobles in the city- states. Sparta was a powerful city-state. It created a military state to control the people it conquered and to prevent uprisings. Sparta was a powerful city-state. It created a military state to control the people it conquered and to prevent uprisings. Athens was a powerful democratic city-state. Athenians were more involved in government, education, and the arts that the Spartans. Athens was a powerful democratic city-state. Athenians were more involved in government, education, and the arts that the Spartans.