Fix the mistake: Ancient Greece

The Polis and Ancient Greek Civilization

Ancient Greece consisted of many independent city-states (poleis). This civilization, shaped by the environment of the Mediterranean, became the source of Western culture.

Characteristics of the Polis

  • Acropolis: a temple on a hill (the dwelling place of the gods)
  • Agora: a square, marketplace, and place for political debate
  • A system of self-government in which citizens (free men) participated in politics
  • Major poleis: Athens (democracy) and Sparta (militarism)
Athenian Democracy
Cleisthenes carried out reforms around 508 BCE. Adult male citizens participated in the Assembly, creating a direct democracy. However, women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded.
It reached its peak during the age of Pericles (5th century BCE), when the Parthenon was built.

Characteristics of Greek Culture

  • Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (emphasizing reason and dialogue)
  • Historiography: Herodotus (the father of history) and Thucydides
  • Drama: tragedy (Sophocles) and comedy (Aristophanes)
  • Olympic Games: held every four years from 776 BCE as offerings to the gods
Key Points
  • Polis = city-state, based on citizens' self-government
  • Athens = democracy; Sparta = militaristic oligarchy
  • Greek philosophy, art, and science were foundations of Western civilization

Practice Questions

  1. Who was the politician who carried out democratic reforms in Athens?
  2. What was the name of the square that became the political center of the Greek polis?
  3. Who was the Greek philosopher known as the “father of philosophy” who pursued truth through the Socratic method?

Answers

  1. Cleisthenes (Pericles during the peak period)
  2. Agora
  3. Socrates

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