The people:  A City/State built on 2 levels (top being the acropolis)

    * Geographically Isolated - Generally a town and its surrounding countryside

    * Community of citizens with a common goal & identity.

    * Fiercely defended their independence

    * Colonization:  New Polis - the goal was to spread Greek culture & ideas

ATHENS (Democracy)

Solon (594 BC) - Reforms that paved the way toward democracy.
   * 1.  Outlawed debt slavery
   * 2.  Increased foreign trade
   * 3.  4 classes
          - Top 2 wealth brackets serve on the Council of Nobles (Aeropagus)
          - Newly formed Council of 400
          - Poorest in the assembly
   * 5.  he really didn't solve the economic crisis

Tyrants (not all bad)
 * Pisistratus -  Gave land to the peasants
          - devoted his government to cultural reform
          - increased the power of the Assembly and the courts associated with the poorest classes
          - Peisistratus had monarchical ambitions; on his death, the tyranny fell to his son, Hippias
          - assassination of his brother caused him great fright.... he was soon overthrown.

 * Cleisthenes - Council of 500, assembly on a larger scale

          - enfranchised as citizens all free men living in Athens and Attica (the area surrounding Athens
          - Every citizen over the age of thirty was eligible to sit on this council; each year the members of the council would be chosen by lot.
          - ostracism

Limited Rights
  * Males only as citizens, some foreigners.
  * 18 or older
  * 10,000s of slaves
  * Education valued - Goal was a well-rounded individual
  * Economy based on trade and farming.

SPARTA (Modified Oligarchy)

7th century - Dorians conquer Laconia.  Resident Messenians become helots.

Dorians quell all rebellions. - No reward for being a good leader as a helot.

Government:  2 Kings and a Council of Elders (28 men over 60 years old)
 
  * Assembly = Native males over 30 who elected 5 ephors for every day affairs.

Women: Had right to inherit property.  Expected to be fit and have good strong babies.

Economy: Did not trade, or even travel much

LANGUAGE.........

HEROES.........

FESTIVALS........

GODS.........

VIEW OF OUTSIDERS - as BARBARIANS! 

                *Those pesky Persians.....