CityStates

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City-States
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Polis

• Polis city-state, was the geographic and
  political center of Greek life.
• Acropolis fortified hill, was home to the local
  temple god.
• Agora Open area at the foot of the acropolis
  used as a marketplace.
• Members of the upper class settled nears the
  agora and in time it was a city.

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Polis Government

• Each city-state has its own government.
• Ave. 5,000-10,000 people per citizens per polis.
• Workers and slaves were not citizens.
• Only citizens could vote, own property, public
  office, and speak for themselves in court.
• Civic and personal honor were important.

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Sparta

• Location Peloponnesus Peninsula of southern
  Greece.
• Founded by the Dorian's who had invaded.
• Economy was based on agriculture.
• They had no colonies, invaded others instead and
  forced slave labor.

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• Helots slaves of Sparta
• 650 B.C.E. Helots rebelled in a series of
  revolts.
• Outcome of the revolts was a military society.

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Military Society

• Soldiers wanted to be the best.
• Women wanted military children.
• Didnt believe in city walls. Why?
• Only healthy babies were allowed to live. Rest
  dumped along a hill.
• 7 years old, boys began military training
  (reading, writing, and weaponry)

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• 20 years old, soldiers were sent to the frontier
  areas.
• 30 years old, expected to marry.
• Men stayed in barracks even when married.
• 60 years old, retirement.

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Role of Women

• Women expected to be healthy and strong.
• Trained in gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing.
• Married at the age of 19 (most women then were
  14) Why 19?
• Had more rights then most Greek women. Go
  shopping to market, attend dinners alone, own
  property
• No involvement in government.

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War and Glory

• Journal What are some current conflicts in the
  world today?
• 400 B.C. Persian Empire was the worlds strongest
  empire.
• Greeks united and defeated the Persians.
• Greeks then turned around and fought themselves.

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Persian War

• Ionia Geek Polis in Aegean Sea. Conquered by the
  Persians.
• Athens and other city-states helped Ionia in a
  revolt over the Persians.
• Unsuccessful revolt. Persian King (Darius I)
  decided to attack the Greeks.

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Battle of Marathon

• One of the most important battles in history?
  Why?
• Greeks outnumbered 20,000 to 10,000.
• Surprise attack When Persians were loading
  their soldiers on the ships the Greeks ran down
  the hills and after them.
• 6,400 Persians died to around 192 Greeks.

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Now What?

• Persians sailed back home.
• Shortly after, rich silver mines were found
  outside Athens.
• Athenians spent money on triremes for Persians
  return.
• When Persians returned 20 Greek city-states
  united. Sparta-Army and Athens-Navy

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Thermopylae

• Persians (Xerxes) did return at Thermopylae.
• Greeks hold off the Persians for 3 days.
• The people of Athens fled to island of Salamis.
• 300 Spartans and 700 other Greek soldiers fought
  to the death.
• Reason for Persian victory traitor
• Once to Athens, Persians burned the city.

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Salamis

• Greeks trick Persians into sailing into the
  strait between Athens and Salamis.
• The triremes of the Greeks were no match for this
  type of naval fighting.
• Greeks defeated the Persians.
• Xerxes returned to Asia and left few soldiers in
  Greece.

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The end.

• In 479 B.C. the Greeks defeated the Persians in
  the Battle of Plataea.
• Wars were over.