Chapter 2: Greeks
2.1 Life in a Greek City State
Chapter 2: Greeks
2.1 Life in a Greek City State
At the end of this lesson...
You can write down some features of Greek city-states.
You can explain how Athens and Sparta were governed and how they differ from each other.
What do you know about Ancient Greece?
Do you see this symbol?
Copy the slide in your notebook!
Feniks, Geschiedenis Werkplaats, Memo, Saga
Kaart
Greek city-states
Greece did not yet exist as one country.
There were cities that were governed like countries: They had their own king for example.
Such an independent city is called a polis (city-state).
Features of a Greek city-state
Poleis (plural of polis) are governed in different ways
- city surrounded by countryside.
- Little city, with few citizens
- Self-sufficient (cultivate their own crops)
They often have the same 'Greek' culture, language and gods
The most famous poleis were Athens and Sparta
Name 2 features of Greek city states
Sparta
Is led by a king (monarchy)
War and the army are super important
Children receive a tough, Spartan upbringing
There are slaves
Copy the questions on the next slide and answer them while watching the Tedtalk.
1. What happened to Spartan boys when they turned 7 years old? 2. Why did Sparta train boys to live with little food and comfort? 3. Who worked the farms while Spartan men trained for war? 4. How were Spartan women different from most other Greek women?
Answer key- video Sparta
1. They left home to begin military training (the agōgē).
2. To make them strong and ready for war.
3. The helots (slaves) worked the farms.
4. Spartan women had more freedom—they could own land and did physical training.
What does this tell us about daily life in Sparta?
Is life of Spartan men much different compared to the life of Spartan women? How?
Athens
The people rule (democracy)
War and the army are less important
Children receive an education with a lot of art and culture
There are slaves who are not only part of the family, but also help in household
Questions for the clip
1. What does Archias do when he comes home after being in the city?
2. What is Dexileia busy with inside the house, and what does she teach their daughters?
3. Where does Archias go at dusk, and what happens there?
4. What urgent message do the heralds announce, and why does it matter?
Copy the questions and answer them while watching the clip.
Answers- Clip Athens
Archias comes home, eats, and later goes to visit a friend.
Dexileia runs the household and teaches her daughters skills like weaving and cooking.
Archias goes to a symposium where men drink wine and talk about important matters.
Heralds call a new council meeting because a decision has changed, and a ship must be sent quickly.
What does this tell us about the daily life in Athens in that period of time? Especially when you look the Archias lives compared to his wife Dexileia? What stands out?
Inequality
Between free people and slaves
Adult, free men had citizenship rights
Women had no citizenship rights
Who had citizenship rights in ancient Athens?
Women
Adult men
Adult, free men
Everyone
Homework
Paragraph 2.1 exercise 4 to 8 + 13 for next Thursday
What have you learned about life in Greek city-state? Explain.