The land contains countless scattered islands, deep harbors, and a network of small rivers. This easy access to water meant that the Greek people might naturally become explorers and traders. Second, Greece’s mountainous terrain led to the development of the polis (city-state), beginning about 750 B.C.E.
Why did the polis emerge?
The polis emerged from the Dark Ages which followed the fall of the Mycenaean civilization in Greece and by the 8th century BCE a significant process of urbanisation had begun . ... The biggest was Sparta, although with some 8,500 km2 of territory, this was exceptionally large and most poleis were small in size.
Why did the Greek polis form?
Greek city-states likely developed because of the physical geography of the Mediterranean region . The landscape features rocky, mountainous land and many islands. These physical barriers caused population centers to be relatively isolated from each other. The sea was often the easiest way to move from place to place.
What was the purpose of the Greek polis?
Government was centred in the town, but citizens of the polis lived throughout its territory. Ideally, the polis was a corporation of citizens who all participated in its government, religious cults, defense, and economic welfare and who obeyed its sacred and customary laws .
Why is the polis so important as it develops in ancient Greece?
The term polis, which in archaic Greece meant “city”, changed with the development of the governance center in the city to signify “state” (which included its surrounding villages). ... The body of citizens came to be the most important meaning of the term polis in ancient Greece.
What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Greek polis?
Athens’ strengths included its large size, large trireme navy, wealth, and democratic government. Athens’ weaknesses included its unwritten laws, lack of unity at the beginning , insatiable hunger for new territories, and constant power struggles with other poleis.
Why did Sparta fight Athens?
The primary causes were that Sparta feared the growing power and influence of the Athenian Empire . The Peloponnesian war began after the Persian Wars ended in 449 BCE. ... This disagreement led to friction and eventually outright war. Additionally, Athens and its ambitions caused increasing instability in Greece.
What were the features of polis?
A city-state, or polis, was the community structure of ancient Greece. Each city-state was organized with an urban center and the surrounding countryside. Characteristics of the city in a polis were outer walls for protection, as well as a public space that included temples and government buildings .
What were Greek foot soldiers called?
Hoplite, heavily armed ancient Greek foot soldier whose function was to fight in close formation.
Which country spells police as polis?
(countable, Scotland, Ireland , Tyneside) A police officer.
What was the most powerful polis in ancient Greece?
Of these, Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city-states. Athens was a democracy and Sparta had two kings and an oligarchic system, but both were important in the development of Greek society and culture.
What was life like in a typical polis?
What was life like in a typical polis? It was the center of daily life and culture for the ancient Greeks . Each polis developed independently of its neighbors because communication between city-states was difficult since Greece was so rugged. Each polis developed its own form of government, laws, and customs.
What were Greek city-states were run by?
Each city-state, or polis, had its own government. Some city states were monarchies ruled by kings or tyrants . Others were oligarchies ruled by a few powerful men on councils. The city of Athens invented the government of democracy and was ruled by the people for many years.
How was the polis the center of Greek life?
The polis was the center of Greek life because it provided the foundation for trade, law, and politics .
Why was farming difficult in Greece?
It was hard to do farming in Ancient Greece because there was not good soil . There was hardly any soil and the soil that was there was often dry and hard to plant crops in.
What type of government is run by the richest and most powerful citizens?
A plutocracy (Greek: πλοῦτος, ploutos, ‘wealth’ and κράτος, kratos, ‘power’) or plutarchy is a society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income.
