Monarchy
· A monarchy is a form of government in which ruling power is in the hands of one person.
Monarchies first appeared in Greece in Mycenae.
o Mycenaeans paid taxes to their kings, obeyed their laws, and depended on them for protection.
o Most Mycenaean kings inherited their power through their family.
o Many kings lost their power when they fought with rival monarchs over land and raw materials.
· The Dorians destroyed many Mycenaean kingdoms. (around 1200 B.C.E.)
King
People
Aristocracy
· An aristocracy is a form of government in which a small group of noble, land-owning families rule.
o These families often gain political power after working in the king’s military and is maintained through social status and wealth.
o Noble rule is passed down in the family and is based on land ownership.
· Once trade expanded, a new class of wealthy merchants and artisans emerged in some cities.
· When these groups became dissatisfied with the aristocratic rule, they sometimes took power and formed oligarchies.
o There were repeated clashes between the Aristocracy who governed Athens and the common people.
Noble Families (own land)+(small group)
People
Oligarchy
· An oligarchy is a form of government in which ruling power is in the hands of a few leaders.
o Political decisions were made by a few aristocrats and selected members of the middle class that were wealthy.
o Ordinary citizens had little say in how the city-state was run.
· The largest difference between an aristocracy and an oligarchy is the amount of people ruling.
o In an oligarchy it is a few people, compared to an aristocracy that has a few families.
· Some oligarchs ruled harshly and their subjects rebelled.
o Other oligarchs lost the faith of their supporters because they could not solve key problems such as food shortages.
Few Leaders
People
Tyranny
· Tyranny is a form of government in which ruling power is in the hands of a person who has seized control.
o With support from the middle class, tyrants seized power to reform laws, aid the poor, and cancel debt.
· Some tyrants became harsh and greedy and were overthrown.
· In 621 B.C.E. Draco, an Athenian politician wrote the first legal code dealing with contracts and property ownership.
o Included debt slavery where farmers would have to work as slaves to repay debt.
· In 594 B.C.E. Solon, an Athenian politician outlawed debt slavery and allowed citizens to participate and debate policy in the Athenian Assembly.
o Citizens were allowed to bring charges to wrongdoers, encouraged export of grapes and olives. He did not address land reforms.
Leader (seized control)
People
Democracy
· A democracy is a form of government in which ruling power is in the hands of the people.
o Democracy was formed in city-states like Athens to avoid a civil war between the rich and the poor.
o In the Athenian democracy, all male citizens could participate in government.
o Majority rule in the Assembly would decide votes.
· In 508 B.C.E. Cleisthenes, an Athenian politician worked to make Athens a full democracy.
o He created the council of 500, proposed laws, and counseled the assembly.
o Council members were randomly chosen, allowing any Athenian citizen to participate.
Rule by the People
People
Greece video links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ5Bu-eqVZM
Sparta
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZ5Bu-eqVZM?autoplay=1
Athens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtn-BZH_xU0
Athens
Alexander the Great
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vvc7Fa1kyI
8 minutes to lighthouse
wife swap athens v sparta
http://www.teachertube.com/video/horrible-histories-wife-swap-spartans-and-305246
3 min video on Gods of Olympus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJCm8W5RZes
Get a crash course on the heavenly residents of Mount Olympus.
Watch now...