the polis – athenians – and spartans!. the rise of the polis – the city state! ● during the...
TRANSCRIPT
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)
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