Greeks Build City-States and Become Citizens
Around 750 B.C.E., after emerging from the Greek Dark Age, Greek communities organized themselves into independent city-states called poleis (singular: polis). Each polis was built around a fortified hilltop called an acropolis, with a marketplace below. Within these city-states, the Greeks invented the concept of citizenship — a new idea that granted rights and responsibilities to free, land-owning men. Citizens could vote and participate in government, but also had the duty to defend their city as soldiers called hoplites. This 6th grade history topic is covered in Chapter 5 of IMPACT California Social Studies, Grade 6.
Key Concepts
After the Dark Age ended around 750 B.C.E., Greeks organized themselves into independent communities. Each community was a polis , or city state, which became the center of Greek identity and politics. The polis was typically built around a fortified hilltop called an acropolis, with a marketplace below.
Within the polis, the Greeks developed the idea of citizenship . This was a new concept that gave rights and responsibilities to free, land owning men. Citizens could vote and take part in government, but they also had a duty to defend their polis as soldiers called hoplites .
Common Questions
What is a polis in ancient Greece?
A polis was an independent city-state in ancient Greece that served as the center of political, social, and cultural life. Each polis had its own government, laws, and identity. The plural is ‘poleis.’
What was an acropolis?
An acropolis was a fortified hilltop at the heart of a Greek city-state. It served as a place of defense and often housed important temples and public buildings.
What was citizenship in ancient Greece?
Citizenship in ancient Greece gave free, land-owning men the right to vote and participate in government. Citizens also had the responsibility to defend their city-state as soldiers called hoplites. Women, enslaved people, and foreigners were excluded.
Who were hoplites in ancient Greece?
Hoplites were citizen-soldiers in ancient Greek city-states. They were expected to provide their own armor and fight in a tightly organized formation called a phalanx to defend their polis.
Why was the city-state important in ancient Greece?
The city-state was the center of Greek identity and political life. Because Greece’s mountainous geography kept communities isolated, city-states developed independently with their own cultures, governments, and loyalties.
When do students learn about Greek city-states?
Greek city-states and citizenship are typically covered in 6th grade history as part of a unit on ancient Greece.
Which textbook covers Greek city-states and citizenship?
This topic is in Chapter 5 of IMPACT California Social Studies, Grade 6, in the unit on The Ancient Greeks.