Greece was divided into individual city-states that each had their own form of government. Most notable, however, was the democracy of Athens and the oligarchy of Sparta. The driving force behind all of Greek life and politics was this concept of arete. While arete differed between Athens and Sparta, this lust for excellence became the driving force behind their democracy and oligarchy. The geography of Greece did not allow for a strictly central government, and so, the Greeks adapted.
(n.d)). In this essay, i will compare and contrast ancient Greek’s various form of governance ranging from Monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy and democracy. Monarchy Greek city –States practiced monarchies form of government, this is a type of government ruled by a single person, usually the king with the help of council of advisors and his powers were hereditary, the king has absolute power and citizens have no say in their governments. He usually retain his political power for life and his eldest son ( the prince) succeeds him on the throne. Notable monarchies in Greek city-states were those of Epeiros and Macedonia, where the king shared power with the assembly.
Introduction The city-states of Athens and Greece were ruled by a diverse range of governments. Under these were the monarchy, the aristocracy, the tyranny, the oligarchy and the democracy. In this paper we will compare and contrast these 5 forms of governments in ancient Greek city-states. The Monarchy A monarchy is a type of government most recognizable by the fact that power rests in the hands of one person. Usually in the past, monarchies have been ruled by kings, together with his advisors.
Ancient Greece had many different forms of government within its many eras and countries. To name a few of these governing styles you had monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy, and the founding of democracy. Overall each governing style can be found within a few time points throughout Greek history. Some Greek governments established mixes of different governing styles. Such as Sparta which had a mix of Monarchy, Oligarchy, aristocracy, and tyranny.
Among the Ancient Greece polices there are two which mostly deserve the research of their history, namely Athens and Sparta. These city-states applies different approaches to the political organization, social structure and adoption of different cultural priorities. The abovementioned differences presuppose the unequal influence of these states on the development of ancient Greece and modern world in general. Within the sphere of political organization, the Athens are regarded to be the homeland of democracy, while Spartan society demonstrates the features of oligarchy. The post-Cleisthenes Athens had a special system of government, which is often thought to be the most democratic one of all times.
Athens had an empire, they stood up for values, they were the school of Greece, while Sparta were clinching onto their dear iron bars. This allowed for Sparta to forget about their state, and go on the offensive. Another example that ties this conflict together is the aspect that Athens a democracy could elect such ignorant leaders who only care about their own glory. Overall, Athens, a democracy, would last longer, as evident by their ruins, and Sparta, an oligarchy, would not last long because as always, an oligarchy will always
Wealthy aristocrats came to monopolize the best land and political power. Small farmers fell into debt to aristocrats and were forced to sell their land or even themselves into slavery. Later, Solon divided the Athenian population by wealth and made it possible for wealthy but non-aristocratic Athenian men to have more say in the political system and even stand for public office. The Athenian
Democracy, a form of government, allows the people in their own nationality to vote for people in order for them to become representatives as a result to vote on new laws that would affect their own nationality. One of the many states of Greece, ancient Athens was indeed not truly democratic as a result of not inclusive, other than male citizens, to gain authority in ancient Athens, ¨Demokratia was ruled by male citizens only, excluding women, free foreigners(Metics) and slaves.¨(Document D), therefore ruling Athens was only accessible to male citizen since since women, free foreigners(Metics), and slaves were not allowed to rule as a result of not being male citizens. One of the many states of Greece, ancient Athens, was indeed not truly democratic as a result of not even using the essentials of democracy that is used today, “Thus, by our standards, it was oligarchy, not democracy.¨(Document D), therefore ancient Athens was not using democracy as their form of government, they were using oligarchy,another form of government in which a small group of people has power and control, as their form of government instead of democracy.
Monarchy, tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy and democracy are all forms of government the ruled the different polies in Ancient Greece. Monarchy as a form of government in Ancient Greece was the idea that a successor from a line of leaders and men in power could rule over the land. In the Greek world, however, monarchies were rare and were often only distinguished from a tyranny when the hereditary ruler was more benevolent and ruled in the genuine interest of his people
In Spartan society there were four groups of people involved in the making of policy (Brand, n.d.) There were the two royal houses; the Agiads and the Eurypontids. There was from each house a King, and while on the battlefield a kings word was law, but at other times they were often subject to the Gerousia, or “elder council,” and five annually selected councilmen known as “Ephoroi.” There was also a monthly assembly, the Ekklēsia, which was comprised of all the male citizens who chose to attend, that voted by shouting (Cartwright, 2013), but this assembly had considerably less influence. In Athenian society there was a sort of democracy, the first in recorded history, but political rights and the power to vote was held by a relatively small group. Only free adult males with Athenian parents were eligible. While this also seems like an oligarchy today, it gave voice to a much larger portion of society than any of its contemporaries.