Ancient Greek City-States: Athens, Sparta, and the Persian Wars

Cops: Acropolis

Principales Edificios (Main Buildings)

Genesis

Temples and urban areas: the market square and surrounding areas. Public crops were within the polis.

Each polis was:

• Self-employed (own laws)
• Sovereign (independent politics)
• Autarquia (independent economy)

Its population was around 5,000 people.

Forms of Government

• Monarchy (King)
• Aristocracy (Nobles)
• Plutocracy (Rule by the wealthy)
• Tyranny (Rule by an ambitious individual)
• Democracy (Equality)

Sparta: A Warrior State

In 1200 BC, the Dorians descended to the Peloponnese and built towns, forming a warrior camp. Two kings and 28 elders, who prepared the laws, led the state. These elders formed the Gerousia. Laws were then approved or rejected by the popular assembly.

Athens: From Monarchy to Democracy

Athens started as a monarchy, later administered by nine archons who served for one year and were elected by the Eupatridae (nobles).

The demos (people) demanded rights, leading to the Eupatrid Draco writing very severe laws. This caused discontent, and Solon was elected as archon. He created a new constitution in 594 BC.

The Eupatridae, unhappy with the loss of their power, supported Pisistratus, who usurped power. After his death, his sons Hippias and Hipparchus ruled, leading to great discontent.

The oligarchs expelled Hippias, and the demos supported the idea of democracy. The aristocrat Cleisthenes founded full democracy.

The Persian Wars

In 500 BC, the Ionians rose under the direction of Athens. Despite initial help, Miletus was destroyed in 494 BC.

In 490 BC, the Persian emperor sent a squad to Marathon to subjugate the Greeks. The Athenian army defeated them. A soldier ran 42 km to Athens to announce the victory, giving rise to the modern marathon.

In 479 BC, the Spartan army under Pausanias defeated the Persians at the Battle of Plataea.

The Hegemony of Athens

Athens formed the Delian League to dominate the Aegean islands and the Greek cities of Asia Minor.

Pericles led Athens to its height and consolidated full democracy.

The sophist Socrates, teacher of Plato, was killed. Plato founded the Academy (a school of philosophers). Aristotle was the most universal thinker of the time.

Philip II became King of Macedonia.