Citizens and communities: the Greek city-states

Tribal communities of the dark ages began to develop into city - states

Acropolis – the high fortified citadel and religious center of ancient Greek town

City states and citizens the notion of citizen precipitation seems to have originated partly in geography

Athenian owl – a slang term for the name of the tetra drachma in the picture in 51because the owl the sacred bird of Athena the goddess herself wears a warriors helmet

Hoplite – a heavy armed and armored citizen – soldier of ancient Greece

Phalanx – a unit of several hundred hoplite who closed ranks by joining shields when approaching the enemy

Monarchy – a state on which supreme power is held by a single usually hereditary ruler

Oligarchy – a state in which supreme power is held by a small group

Triremes – massive fighting vessels with three banks of oars used to ram or board enemy ships

Tyranny – rule by a self-proclaimed dictator

Democracy – in ancient Greece a form of government in which all adult male citizens were entitled to take part in decision making.

Sparta: the military ideal

The Spartans were the descendants of Greeks who had conquered part of the southern mainland

Helots – noncitizens forced to work for landholders in the ancient city-state of Sparta

A winner in the heraean games this bronze statuette of a female runner is looking backward

Aristocrats – members of prominent a long-established Athenian families

Ostracism – banishment for ten years by majority vote for Athenian assemble

Athens: freedom and power

To the Athenians the Spartans life was not was not worth living.