the rise of the polis - university of albertaegarvin/assets/8.-archaic-greeks.pdfcapability ships...
TRANSCRIPT
The Rise of the Polis
The Greek Dark Ages, the Rise of the City State and Colonization
Collapse and Rebirth
Ca, 1200 – 1100Mycenaean's overthrown (?) Iron wielding invaders, or simply iron replacing bronze…Known settlements ca. 1200 BC = 320Ca. 1075 BC = 40
Athens:One of few centres to remain stable
The Greek Dark Age
Ca. 1100 BC - 776 BC
Archaic Period
776 BC - 479 BCEmergence of the Greek Polis Steady increase in economic activity Steady increase in population Spread of literacy Colonization Political upheaval The emergence of the Hoplite warrior
The Polis
By 776 BC:Polis already exists in rudimentary formMonarchies all but goneCollective of the wealthiestOligarchyBuilt on defensive principles
Polis design
Hilltop fortifications:Not palaces but public spacesAcropolis
Near but not on the coast "It is obviously better both for ensuring an
abundance of necessities and for defensive reasons that the state and its territory should have access to the sea" (Arist.Pol.7.6)
Polis design
The Hoplite Revolution
The New Warrior
Disappearance of warrior elite Chicken-and-egg?Warrior elite replaced by citizen soldier Citizen soldier makes elite moot
Increase in prosperity The middle-class farmer could afford weapons
Place IdentityMen were now able to defend themselves…Willing to defend a place
Emergence:
710 BC at ArgosEarliest panoply
720 at AthensEarliest depiction in art
Panoply
Concave shield (hoplon 36”) Corinthian Helmet (with
horse hair plume) Tunic (kiton) Cuirass Greaves Thrusting Spear Slashing
Sword Total: +/- 70 lbs.
The Hoplite Phalanx Easy to train and assemble Cannot be broken by chariots or cavalry
(head on) Can only be stopped by another phalanx
Phalanx
Battle
Based on adherence to a set of rulesOpen plainOne short clash of massed infantry: Two phalanxes charge and clashAgreement of victory/ defeat Post-battle truce
Definition of a Polis
1. Was an autonomous city-state not dependent upon any national association.
2. Was formed and maintained specifically for the betterment of an homogenous social group.
3. Had, as its centre (both civic and commercial) a Marketplace (agora).
4. Controlled the agricultural territory (chora), including villages, of various size.
5. Had a participatory citizenry6. Operated under Laws and was capable of defining those
Laws in terms of domestic and foreign policy.
However…Greek culture remained stratified:Aristocracry:Descendants of the warrior eliteMaintained the Aristocratic EthosCrisis subsistence insuranceReserved the Right to Declare the Law!
Demos:A new self-aware middle class
Thetes: Still and always… the poor.
Synoicism
The consolidation of several small towns with a larger city into a single polity centred on that large city.
Big fish/ little fish story?What happens to the Basileus of the small town? Does
synoicism explain the emergence of the oligarchic council?
Synoicism
Attica
Synoicismos,the Megarid, Attica
and Boeotia
Synoicismos,Peloponnesus
Political Philosophy
Thucydides i.8“…For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the
dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller towns to subjection.”
Colonization: The Polis as Parasite
OverpopulationCaused by increased prosperityColonies promote more trade
AvailabilityUnder population of the target region
Capability Ships – Greek superiority at seaWeapons – Greek superiority on land
Methods
Metropolis (Mother City)Chooses the site Selects an oikistesDecides who can (and will) go
Apoikia (colony)Oikistes distributes landCulturally and politically tied to MetropolisCitizenship
Expanded Greek World
Trade Routes
Solon
Originally from Salamis ca. 624 – 558Archon in 594/3 constitutional reforms in 592Best laws? “Best they would accept”
Solon’s Reforms
Debt bondage cancelledSocial and Legal status based on wealth
rather than birthWealthiest – ArchonshipCavalry Class - BouleHoplite Class - Boule Poor – Ecclesia and Jury duty
Written law codeJury courts
Tyrants
One-man ruleNo constitutional foundationPopular supportUsually: initiated to solve a crisisAbsolute power corrupts absolutelyEconomically beneficialRuthless
Pisistratus
560 B.C.Takes control of Athens as Tyrant "He was supported by the majority of both
nobles and the common people (Arist. A.P. 16.9)
Civic programsEconomic prosperityThe IliadSucceeded by his son, Hippias, in 527 BC.
Cleisthenes
The Birth of Democracy
Democracy
Hippias510 BC: Hippias deposed509 BC: Cleisthenes creates the first democracy.DemokratiaDemos = the people; kratia = rule or governance
Legislative power given to the EcclesiaAll citizens, regardless of wealthIsonomiaIsegoria
Citizenship
18 yrs.Enrolled in his father’s deme Served as a military cadet for 2 yrs.
20 yrs.Eligible to attend the Ecclesia
30 yrs. Full citizenEligible to serve as a magistrate (Boule, Strategos, etc)
Citizen
A person who…Could own land Served in the military
WomenRights and legal protection…But did not vote or hold political office
Metics Foreign residents with few rights
SlavesRoughly 50% of the population