Greek City-States Worksheets
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Table of Contents
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Summary
- Timeline
- Overview of the Greek City-States
- Key Greek City-States
- Political Systems
- Economy and Trade
- Culture and Society
- Warfare and Alliances
- Decline
Key Facts And Information
Let’s know more about Greek City-States!
Ancient Greece was not one big country but a group of independent city-states, called polis. Each city-state had its own government, army and way of life. They worshipped the same gods, spoke the same language and shared many traditions, but they often competed for power.
Some of the most important city-states were Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes and Argos. Athens was famous for its democracy and learning, Sparta for its strong soldiers, Corinth for trade, Thebes for its warriors, and Argos for its art. Sometimes, city-states worked together against common enemies, but they also fought many wars against each other. Even with their differences, the ideas and achievements of the Greek city-states shaped later civilisations, including Rome and the modern world.
Location of the key Greek city-states
Timeline
- 2000–1100 BCE – Mycenaean civilisation grows in Greece.
- 1100–800 BCE – Greek Dark Ages begin after Mycenae falls.
- 800 BCE – Greek city-states (polis) form.
- 700–500 BCE – Greek city-states spread by creating colonies around the Mediterranean.
- 499–449 BCE – Persian Wars: Athens and Sparta join forces to defeat Persia.
- 431–404 BCE – Peloponnesian War: Athens and Sparta fight; Sparta wins, but Greece is weakened.
- 395–387 BCE – Corinthian War: Thebes, Athens, Corinth and Argos fight against Sparta with Persian support; Sparta wins but weakens.
- 371 BCE – Battle of Leuctra: Thebes defeats Sparta, ending Sparta’s dominance.
- 338 BCE – King Philip II of Macedon defeats Greek city-states.
- 336 BCE – Alexander the Great becomes king and spreads Greek culture across Asia.
- 323 BCE – Alexander dies, and his empire breaks apart.
- 260 BCE – Rome rises, while Greece struggles to defend itself.
- 146 BCE – Rome conquers Greece, ending Greek independence.
Overview of the Greek City-States
- Ancient Greece was made up of mainland Greece, the Peloponnese Peninsula and many islands. This rugged landscape made it hard to form large kingdoms, so independent city-states, called polis, developed.
- Before the rise of polis, Greece was home to the Mycenaean civilisation (c. 1600–1100 BCE), known for its powerful palaces, trade networks and influence on later Greek culture. The fall of the Mycenaeans led to the Greek Dark Ages, after which city-states emerged as the dominant political structure.
- Each polis had its own government and societal structure. Though they shared language, religion and culture, each polis operated independently. More than just a city, it was a community where citizens took part in politics, trade, cultural life and military service.
Depiction of an ideal polis
- Although city-states were independent, they sometimes worked together against common enemies, like in the Persian Wars of the 5th century BCE. But they also often fought among themselves, like in the Peloponnesian War. Even with these conflicts, Greek city-states grew culturally, especially in the Classical period (5th–4th century BCE).
Key Greek City-States
- Although there were over 1,000 city-states, a few became the most powerful, including Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes and Argos. Athens was known for democracy, philosophy and education. Sparta was famous for its strong army and strict discipline. Corinth was a rich trade centre with impressive architecture and a powerful navy. Thebes had a strong land army and even defeated Sparta in battle. Argos stood out for its art, sculpture and poetry.
Athens: The Birthplace of Democracy
- Government: Democracy (male citizens could vote)
- Military: Strong navy, weaker land army
- Economy: Based on trade and commerce
- Culture: Centre for philosophy, arts and education (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)
- Women’s Role: Limited rights, focused on household duties
Sparta: The Warrior Society
- Government: Oligarchy (ruled by two kings and a council)
- Military: Strong land army, weaker navy
- Economy: Relied on agriculture and enslaved Helots
- Culture: Focused on military training and discipline
- Women’s Role: Had more rights, could own property and train physically
Corinth: The Trade Hub
- Government: Oligarchy (ruled by wealthy elites)
- Military: Strong army and navy
- Economy: Wealthiest city-state, relied on trade and commerce
- Culture: Known for architecture, engineering and commerce
- Women’s Role: More rights than in Athens, but still restricted
Thebes: The Military Powerhouse
- Government: Oligarchy, sometimes democracy
- Military: Strong land army, famous for defeating Sparta
- Economy: Based on agriculture and military power
- Culture: Known for warfare, strategy and mythology (Oedipus, Hercules)
- Women’s Role: Fewer rights compared to Spartan women
Argos: The Cultural Centre
- Government: Oligarchy (ruled by aristocrats)
- Military: Weaker military, not a major war power
- Economy: Based on agriculture, craftsmanship and trade
- Culture: Famous for art, sculpture and poetry
- Women’s Role: Had few rights, similar to Athens
Political Systems
- Ancient Greek city-states had different types of government based on their traditions, economy and needs. Unlike a large empire ruled by one leader, each polis governed itself. The main types of government were monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny and democracy. These systems later influenced many governments, including modern democracies.
Monarchy: Rule by a King
- Monarchy was one of the oldest forms of government in Greece. A king ruled the city-state and claimed his power came from the gods. The king made important decisions about war, religion and laws. Early Sparta had a monarchy with two kings who led the army and performed religious duties. Argos also followed a monarchy in its early years, with powerful kings who were linked to mythological figures like Perseus. However, over time, most city-states replaced kings with councils or other forms of government.
Oligarchy: Rule by a Few
- In this system, a small group of rich or powerful people controlled the government. These rulers were often landowners, military leaders or nobles. Sparta is a well-known example of an oligarchy, where a council of elders, called the Gerousia, and two kings made decisions. Corinth also had an oligarchic system for much of its history, controlled by wealthy merchants and aristocrats. Oligarchies were stable, but they gave little power to ordinary citizens, which sometimes led to unrest.
Tyranny: Rule by One Powerful Leader
- Tyranny happened when a single person, called a tyrant, took power by force. Unlike kings, tyrants did not inherit their position but gained control through military strength or support from the people. Some tyrants were good rulers who improved trade and built roads. Corinth is famous for its tyrants, especially Cypselus and his son Periander, who expanded the city’s wealth and built great public works. However, some tyrants became cruel, leading to revolts against them.
Democracy: Rule by the People
- In this system, citizens could vote and help make decisions. Athens was the most famous democracy, where leaders like Cleisthenes and Pericles created a system where male citizens debated and voted in assemblies. However, not everyone had the right to vote – women, enslaved people and foreigners were not included. Even with these limits, Athenian democracy influenced many later governments, including modern democracies.
Economy and Trade
- The economy of Ancient Greek city-states was based on agriculture, trade and craftsmanship. Due to Greece’s mountainous landscape, farming was difficult, and many city-states relied on trade to get the resources they needed. Some cities became wealthy trade centres, while others focused more on farming or military strength.
- Agriculture was important to all Greek city-states, but the rocky land made farming challenging. Farmers mainly grew wheat, barley, olives and grapes. Olives were especially valuable because they could be used for food, oil and trade. Some city-states, like Sparta, had large farms worked by enslaved people (helots), while others, like Athens and Argos, had smaller farms owned by citizens.
- Since farming could not provide everything the Greeks needed, trade became essential. The Greeks traded goods like olive oil, wine, pottery and metalwork with other civilisations, including Egypt, Persia and Phoenicia. In return, they imported grain, timber, metals and luxury goods. Trade was made easier by Greece’s location near the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, allowing city-states to set up colonies and trading posts across the region.
- Athens had one of the strongest economies, relying heavily on trade and craftsmanship. The city was famous for its pottery, textiles and silver mines. The Athenians used coins for trade, which made buying and selling goods easier. Their powerful navy also helped protect trade routes and expand their influence.
- Unlike Athens, Sparta’s economy was based on agriculture and military strength rather than trade. The Spartans used a barter system instead of coins and avoided luxury goods to maintain a simple lifestyle. They relied on enslaved people (helots) to work the land, producing enough food to support their warrior society.
- Corinth was one of the richest city-states because of its strategic location between mainland Greece and the Peloponnesus. It oversaw important trade routes and had an active port, which helped it become a major centre for business and trade. Corinth was famous for its fine pottery, textiles and shipbuilding, and it had a strong banking system to support trade.
- Thebes had good farmland and was known for its grain, cattle and horses. It also traded with other Greek cities and played a key role in Greek wars, which sometimes helped its economy.
- Argos was famous for its skilled craftsmen and beautiful sculptures. It also traded goods like pottery, metalwork and textiles. Unlike Corinth and Athens, Argos focused more on local trade than sea trade.
- To expand their economy, many Greek city-states established colonies around the Mediterranean and Black Seas. These colonies provided more farmland, access to new resources, and new markets for Greek goods. Major Greek colonies were located in Italy, North Africa and Asia Minor.
Culture and Society
- Greek society had different groups of people. Citizens were at the top and had political rights. In most city-states, only free men born there were full citizens. Women, foreigners (metics) and enslaved people had little or no power.
- Their roles varied – Athenian women had few rights and stayed home, while Spartan women had more freedom and could own land. Corinthian women had more opportunities in trade, while Theban and Argive women had roles mostly centred on family and religion.
- Religion was very important in Greek life. The Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses, believing they controlled different parts of the world. They built temples and held festivals for gods. Greek myths also influenced plays, art and traditions.
Homer
- Education was different in each city-state. Athenian boys learned reading, writing, music and philosophy. They studied poets like Homer and trained in public speaking for politics. Thinkers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle shaped philosophy with their ideas. In Sparta, boys went through agoge, a strict military training programme to become strong soldiers.
- Corinth focused on practical skills like business and navigation. Thebes valued military training but also supported education in music and poetry. Argos had a strong cultural influence in theatre and storytelling.
- Greek city-states were famous for their art and buildings. They built temples, statues and theatres to honour their gods. The Parthenon in Athens is one of the most famous temples, with tall columns and detailed carvings. Sparta had simpler architecture. Corinth was known for its grand temples and fine pottery. Thebes had impressive fortifications, and Argos was famous for its sculptures and contributions to theatre.
- Festivals and sports were a big part of Greek life. The Olympic Games, held every four years in Olympia, brought athletes from different city-states to compete in races, wrestling and chariot racing. Sparta often dominated physical contests.
- Corinth and Argos hosted their own games, like the Isthmian Games, which included musical and athletic competitions. Other festivals, like the Dionysia in Athens, celebrated theatre and honoured the gods with music and performances.
Warfare and Alliances
- Greek city-states were often at war, either with each other or against foreign enemies. Since there was no single Greek country, each polis had its own army. However, city-states sometimes joined forces when they faced a common threat. War played a big role in Greek history and changed the balance of power among them.
- Sometimes, Greek city-states united against a common enemy. During the Persian Wars (499–449 BCE), Athens and Sparta worked together to fight the Persian Empire. They won key battles at Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis, protecting Greece from foreign rule. However, after their victory over Persia, the Greek city-states resumed their internal conflicts.
- One of their biggest internal wars was the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. Athens led the Delian League, an alliance of city-states that worked together to defend against Persia, but it later became a way for Athens to gain control. Sparta led the Peloponnesian League to oppose Athenian rule. After years of fighting, Sparta won, but the war weakened all of Greece.
- Most Greek armies were made up of citizen soldiers called hoplites. They fought in a tight formation called a phalanx, where soldiers stood close together with their shields overlapping. This made them strong in battle. Athens had the best navy, while Sparta had the most powerful land army. Spartan soldiers trained from a young age in the strict agoge system.
- Greek city-states also often made and broke alliances based on their needs and rivalries. Corinth sometimes supported Sparta and other times opposed it. Thebes often fought against both Athens and Sparta but later joined Persia in the Peloponnesian War. Argos usually stayed neutral but sometimes sided with Athens or Sparta.
- After the Peloponnesian War, Sparta became the strongest city-state, but its harsh rule led to new conflicts. In 395 BCE, Thebes, Athens, Corinth and Argos joined forces in the Corinthian War (395–387 BCE) with help from Persia. Sparta won, but it grew weaker.
- In 371 BCE, Thebes defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra by using new battle strategies. This ended Sparta’s power, but no single city-state could take full control of Greece.
Decline of Greek City-States
The Greek city-states declined for several reasons:
- Constant wars – The long Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta weakened both sides. Even after Sparta won, more wars followed, leaving Greece divided and weak.
- Unstable governments – Many city-states faced revolts and power struggles, making it hard to stay strong. Alliances kept changing, and leaders often fought for control.
- Money problems – Wars damaged farms and trade, leading to less food and wealth. Many city-states struggled to rebuild their economies.
- Foreign invasions – Seeing Greece’s weakness, King Philip II of Macedon conquered the city-states in the 4th century BCE, ending their independence.
- The rise of Rome – While Greek culture spread under Alexander the Great, Rome was becoming stronger. By 260 BCE, Rome had begun expanding beyond Italy, and Greece was unable to resist.
Even though Greece lost its independence, its culture remained important. Alexander the Great spread Greek ideas across many lands, starting the Hellenistic Age. But after his death in 323 BCE, his empire broke into smaller kingdoms, and Greece lost power. Rome slowly took control, defeating Macedon and taking over the Greek city-states. By 146 BCE, Greece was fully under Roman rule. However, Greek art, philosophy and literature had a huge impact on Rome and still influence the world today.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Greek City-States
- What were Greek city-states?
Greek city-states, or poleis, were independent political entities in ancient Greece. Each had its own government, military, economy, and laws, though they shared language, religion, and cultural practices.
- How many Greek city-states were there?
There were over 1,000 city-states in ancient Greece, but the most famous ones include Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, and Delphi.
- What role did religion play in Greek city-states?
Religion was central to life in Greek city-states. Each polis had patron deities and built temples in their honour. Religious festivals and rituals were integral to civic life, serving to unite citizens and seek favour from the gods.