HIST 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Slavery, Lady Justice, Helots
Birth of the Polis
I. Geography
A. Unlike the Egyptian world, the Greek world had mountainous terrains, hills,
islands; had to travel by sea
1. This Geography creates the city-states
2. City states share same language
• Own unique government and currency
II. Characteristics of the Polis (Greek city-state)
A. Colonization
1. For trading
2. Mostly around sea
B. Chattel Slavery
1. Exposure
C. Justice
1. Notion of blind justice
• Justice was equal for all citizens no matter status
D. Citizenship
1. Free men only
2. Had to be born there
3. Ownership of land
4. Identity was your city-state
E. Oligarchy
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Birth of the polis: geography, unlike the egyptian world, the greek world had mountainous terrains, hills, islands; had to travel by sea, this geography creates the city-states, city states share same language, own unique government and currency. If you"re a man who makes it to age 60 you join in this: pass laws, corinth, very wealthy, people would go through it to trade. Chattel slavery: slaves are property, can be bought and sold; most of them were fellow greeks of conquest. Gerousia: community men over 60 joined to pass laws. Cypselus: wealthy aristocrat that launches revolt and becomes tyrant. Solon: picked to solve problem of oligarchy in athens; athenians cannot own fellow athenians starts boule. Boule: counsel of athena men with property can come and vote beginning of democracy. Pisistratus: takes over as tyrant in athens; 546 bce. Cleisthenes: makes democracy stronger by recording"; also sets up ostracism.
