Discussion Forum Unit 1
Discuss the role of the
polis
in Archaic and Classical-era Greece, supporting your response with examples and detail from your reading.
Greece was made up of hundreds of city states called polis during the Archaic and Classical periods, each of which was politically independent (Brand, n.d.). Each Polis was divided into two parts: Acropolis, which housed temples, and Agora, which housed public areas. Each city state developed its own form of governance, as well as political structures and cultures. Despite their rivalry, the polis shared a Greek identity (Julia, 2018). The Olympic games were held in city states where the Greek language was spoken, and the same myths and heroes were revered.
Athens and Sparta were the most powerful of the polis. The main role of the polis was to govern the city-
state, and its government was to protect citizens from attacks by other polis and non-Greeks (Julia, 2018).
Spalta, for example, was founded on a military dictatorship. They enslaved the people of neighboring countries after conquering them (Brand, n.d.).
In comparison to Spalta, Athens had established trade with other states, and democratic processes were gradually developed, such as the revision of differences in the law, as well as progress in philosophy, science, and culture. (Brand, n.d.). As a result, plebeian suffrage became more widespread, and democracy emerged. To summarize, the polis was critical in the development of ancient Greek civilization.
Reference:
Kindt, J. (2012, January 1). Polis religion – a critical appreciation
. Kernos. Revue internationale et pluridisciplinaire de religion grecque antique. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://journals.openedition.org/kernos/1765?lang=en
