Ancient Greek Government
Ancient Greek society had several different forms of government that different city states operated on. These different forms of government dictated different life styles for the citizens of each city states. While each form of government is different there are some similarities between them. I will discuss each of them in detail and we will begin to see where they share similarities and where they contrast from each other.
The first form of government I will discuss is a monarchy. Monarchies are not as common as some of the other forms of government in ancient Greece. A monarchy has a single ruler (like a tyranny). The difference between a monarchy and a tyranny is that the head of a monarch receives his power through religion, it is believed …show more content…
An aristocracy has a small privileged class of people which rule over the city state. An aristocracy is similar to an oligarchy as they both are ruled by a small group of people. The difference is that an aristocracy is ruled by royal families and there is a blood connection for those in power, the group that rules an oligarchy is not a royal family (Cartwright, 2013).
Since they have the most in common let us now look at an oligarchy. Like an aristocracy an oligarchy is also ruled by a select group of individuals. Unlike an aristocracy an oligarchy could be ruled by either a small group, or large group of individuals. The most famous example of a Greek oligarchy was Sparta. Sparta had a citizen assembly which participates in government, however, the groups known as the Ephors and the Gerousia had all the power with decision making (Cartwright, 2013).
Lastly let us look at the Greek government which most of us are already familiar with, a democracy. The word democracy comes from the Greek word demos, which means rule of the people. This meant that the citizens (free men) had real power when it came to laws and decisions of the government. The most famous Greek city state that operated as a democracy was Athens. Another definition of demos, is mob rule. This was one of the flaws of a democracy in ancient Greece. Emotions would take over and the people would make irrational decisions based on mob mentality (Cartwright,
The first form of government I will discuss is a monarchy. Monarchies are not as common as some of the other forms of government in ancient Greece. A monarchy has a single ruler (like a tyranny). The difference between a monarchy and a tyranny is that the head of a monarch receives his power through religion, it is believed …show more content…
An aristocracy has a small privileged class of people which rule over the city state. An aristocracy is similar to an oligarchy as they both are ruled by a small group of people. The difference is that an aristocracy is ruled by royal families and there is a blood connection for those in power, the group that rules an oligarchy is not a royal family (Cartwright, 2013).
Since they have the most in common let us now look at an oligarchy. Like an aristocracy an oligarchy is also ruled by a select group of individuals. Unlike an aristocracy an oligarchy could be ruled by either a small group, or large group of individuals. The most famous example of a Greek oligarchy was Sparta. Sparta had a citizen assembly which participates in government, however, the groups known as the Ephors and the Gerousia had all the power with decision making (Cartwright, 2013).
Lastly let us look at the Greek government which most of us are already familiar with, a democracy. The word democracy comes from the Greek word demos, which means rule of the people. This meant that the citizens (free men) had real power when it came to laws and decisions of the government. The most famous Greek city state that operated as a democracy was Athens. Another definition of demos, is mob rule. This was one of the flaws of a democracy in ancient Greece. Emotions would take over and the people would make irrational decisions based on mob mentality (Cartwright,