Migration, the
Polis, and Colonization
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a reconstruction of ancient Athens please go the virtual
tours of ancient cities.
A wealth of
information on daily
life, housing, women, economy may be viewed at an exhibition sponsored by
the University of Pennsylvania Museum.
I.
Age
of Migrations 1200-600 BCE
II.
The
Polis:
A.
The
most successful and enduring political institution in the history of the west
B.
Subject
of considerable speculation esp. by Plato and by Aristotle. We are well
informed. Many "model" states proposed; man is a political animal
--anticipates the scientific mentality which is to come. Some examples of
theoretical basis:
1.
development
of states: monarchy > tyranny > aristocracy > oligarchy > democracy
> ochlocracy.
2.
polis
is the logical end of social development from family and village,.
3.
polis
comes into existence for the sake of mere life; but it exists for the sake of
the good life.
III.
Characteristics
of polis --in place by 800, though not everywhere at the same time.
A.
Territory
and population; the latter counts more than the former.
1.
urban
and rural components: Landscape
and setting
of the polis.
2.
by
family, clan
3.
size.
B.
Structure
--no sense of representative democracy, but of direct participation.
1.
assembly
--"the nation at arms"
2.
council
of elders
3.
magistrates
4.
courts
IV.
Dynamics
A.
polis
= the state of the politai, the citizens: "When
thou has built a temple to Zeus Syllanius and Athena Syllania, divided the
people into phylai, and divided them into 'obai', and established a
Gerousia of thirty including the Archagetai, then from time to time
'appellazein' between Babyka and Knakion, and there introduce and repeal
measures; but the Demos must have the decision and the power.
B.
The
Hoplite Reform: Underlying principle: those who fight, vote, ... "The first form of constitution which succeeded to
monarchy in ancient Greece was one in which the soldiery formed the citizen
body. At first it consisted only of cavalry. Military strength and superiority
were then the prerogative of that arm; infantry is useless without a system of
tactics; and as the experience and the rules required for such a system did not
exist in early times, the strength of armies lay in their cavalry. When, however,
states began to increase in size, and infantry forces acquired a greater degree
of strength, more persons were admitted to the enjoyment of political rights.
For this reason the name 'democracy' was given at that time to constitutions
which we now call "city states". Aristotle,
Politics, IVm 1297b. There is then a balance between privilege and
responsibility. Hoplites: from a vase;
a reconstruction.
The tradition: "Glaucos, why are the two of
us go greatly honored among the Lycians ([Trojans] with seats of honor, meat,
and numerous cups? Why do all men regard us as gods? Why do we hold a vast
estate on the banks of the Xantos, suitable both for orchards and for the
tilling of wheat-bearing earth? We must therefore stand among the front line of
the Lycians [Trojans] and take part in the raging baattle, so that the Lycians
[Trojans] who wear strong corselets may say: "Our kings who rule Lycia are
glorious men; they eat fat sheep and drink the choicest wine. They also have
surely the strength of brave men, since they fight in the front rank of the
Lycians."
V.
The
rule of law:
A.
"It
is no polis that is ruled by one man." (Antigone);.
B.
Law
is superior to any man;
C.
Law
as protection from chaos
D.
Law
is public
E.
There
is a difference between natural and divine law
F.
Men
are educated and improved by law
G.
The
Problem of Rule
VI.
Autonomy
and freedom
A.
only
in an autonomous state (under own laws) could an individual be guaranteed
freedom (i.e., to serve state). The demonstration of freedom was to issue
own coinage.
B.
Just
an agon existed between individuals for limited resources, so too did it
for states. Economic self-sufficiency was always a goal, but hardly possible
due to the lack of resources
C.
Pan
Hellenism is over-emphasized; particularism of local culture very important.
VII.
Religion
and Cult
A.
Religion
as basis of citizenship.
B.
Cultural
patriotism. Temples as symbols of cities acropolis
at Athens
and at Perachora.
C.
Pax deorum.
VIII.
The
Age of Colonization (750-550) General
map and the site of Segesta.
A.
Introduction:
Colonies are found all around Mediterranean but especially in Italy and Sicily:
The polis was the agent and the effect of colonization.
B.
Greek
resources and strengths
1.
The
sea and seamanship.
2.
Heavily
armed hoplite
C.
Character
of the colonies: preferred
sites. Homer describes the ideal
city: “Our city is surrounded by high battlements; it
has an excellent harbor on each side and is approached by a narrow causeway,
where the curved ships are drawn up to the road…”
D.
Aims
and Causes of Colonization
1.
The
commercial factor.
2.
Internal
factors: politics and the land.
3.
There
was a temporary (750-500) weakness among the rivals of the Greeks.
4.
the
organizational skills
E.
General
Effects:
1.
Most
dramatic was the expansion of trade and the general elevation of the level of
material existence throughout the Mediterranean world. Trade
patterns
2.
Because
their superiority was so manifest, the Greeks developed the idea of a racial
and cultural superiority that dictated their relationship to non-Greeks for the
next centuries.
3.
Of
lasting value was the extension of the city-state system to the west. It became
the vehicle for the propagation of Greek cultural and ethical values first to
Rome and then throughout Western Europe.
