Greece- Government

In Friday's class, we discussed the Greek government and the "warring city-states". The essential government terms we learned were polis, monarchy, oligarchy, aristocracy, and tyranny. During the seventh and sixth centuries BCE, aristocrats (rich rulers) ran the show in most of Greece. Back then, rich people wielded much more influence in society, and held much more governmental power, than the middle class or the poor. Aristocrats were members of the ruling class whom attended symposium meetings where the elite men would enjoy wine and poetry and other entertainment, while discussing politics. Politics was an exclusive club... There were no women, middle class, slaves, and sometimes even aristocrats who didn't have the right connections or fell out of favor were excluded. We also discussed tyrants and how the Greek definition differs from modern day's definition. In Greece, aristocrats would sometimes form alliances with hoplites (well-armed soldiers), and set up an alternative form of government called a tyranny. In modern times, we view tyranny to be negative with someone who rules abusively and is an oppressive ruler. Whereas, the greek meaning of tyranny is someone who simply seized power using hoplite help. All in all, we furthered our knowledge of Greece by learning and taking notes on Greece's government and its development.