EARLY GOVERNMENTS
What was the first form of government in Greek city-states?
Monarchy
What does oligarchy mean?
Rule by a few
What is a tyrant?
A ruler who takes power by force
What is democracy?
Rule by the people
Who were aristocrats?
Wealthy landowners
What does “oligarch” mean in Greek?
Few
How did kings usually come to power?
Inherited from family
Who were oligarchs?
Rich landowners
How did tyrants gain power?
Military force
What made Athenian democracy different?
All citizens shared power
Who gained power after monarchy?
Oligarchs
Why did people turn against oligarchs?
Inequality / unfair laws
Why did different parts of Greece have different governments?
Mountains kept people apart
What kind of laws did oligarchs pass?
Laws that favored the rich
Why did people support some tyrants?
They improved people’s lives (sometimes)
How did citizens participate?
Voted directly
Who took power after oligarchs?
Tyrants
What allowed tyrants to stay in power?
Military
Who advised the king?
Aristocrats
Who helped remove oligarchs from power?
Army leaders and poor people
Who is likely speaking: “I took power with help from the people”?
A tyrant
What tool did citizens use to vote someone out?
Ostrakon
What government came after tyranny?
Democracy
How is ancient democracy different from the U.S.?
Citizens voted directly
What happened to advisers after kings lost power?
They became the new rulers
What might an oligarch do for fun?
Chariot race
When did many city-states come under tyrants?
Around 600 B.C.E.
What idea came from Athens?
People should rule themselves
What group had the most power in oligarchy?
The rich
Why is Athens important today?
It introduced democracy