Today in class we took more notes on Ancient Greece.
Transformation of Government
-During the seventh and six centuries BCE, aristocrats ran the show in most of Greece.
-Rich people held much more influence in society, and held much more governmental power, than the middle class or the poor.
Aristocracy
-Aristocracy is rule by aristocrats
-Attended symposiums-which were meeting where the elite men would enjoy wine and poetry, performances by dancers and acrobats and the company of heteras(courtesans) while discussing politics.
An exclusive club
-no women
-no middle class
-no slaves
-sometimes certain aristocrats who didn't have the right connections or who fell out of favor/were excluded. (Ostracized)
Tyrants seize control
-sometimes aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites (well-armed soliders) and set up an alternative form of government called tyranny
-Tyrant: someone who rules outside the framework of the polis
-modern meaning of tyrant: an abusive or oppressive ruler
-The Greek meaning of tyrant: someone who simply seized power (usually with hop-lite help)
Clash of the Tyrants
-Hippias was a tyrant who ruled from 527 to 510 B.C.E.
-His brother was murdered, and his rule became harsh
-Eventually he was expelled from Athens (ostracized)
-In revenge, he began working with the Persian King Darius I, helping them invade Marathon.
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