Political Life in Ancient Greek City-States
In Political Life in Ancient Greek City-States, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains how city-states emerged in Ancient Greece, from the 8th to the 5th Century BC. Small, independent towns formed powerful political entities, each with its own culture and government. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Lesson Express
Q: How did city-states come about?
A: They came about when tribal communities agreed to live under one political center. The people in one area banded together under one polis or central location.
Q: What functions took place in the city-states?
A: People engaged in trade and commerce. City centers served as places for political activity; they provided public space where people could interact with one another and participate in governance.
Q: Why do you think the city-state was so successful?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may mention that the city-states provided a common place for people to engage with each other.
More Like This
In Greece vs. Persia, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores how the city-states of Greece faced threats from the colossal Persian Empire. When the Persian Empire tried to take over the city-states, they banded together in decisive battles of Marathon, Salamis, and Plataea to resist. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In The Death of Socrates, host Andrew Marr explains how Socrates was condemned to death for challenging authority and corrupting the youth of Athens. However, his ideas lived on long after he was forced to drink hemlock. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In The Peloponnesian War and the Fall of Athens, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores the impact of the Peloponnesian War on Athens’ ultimate downfall with stories of conquest, surrender, and philosophy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In Greece vs. Persia, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores how the city-states of Greece faced threats from the colossal Persian Empire. When the Persian Empire tried to take over the city-states, they banded together in decisive battles of Marathon, Salamis, and Plataea to resist. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In The Death of Socrates, host Andrew Marr explains how Socrates was condemned to death for challenging authority and corrupting the youth of Athens. However, his ideas lived on long after he was forced to drink hemlock. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In The Peloponnesian War and the Fall of Athens, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores the impact of the Peloponnesian War on Athens’ ultimate downfall with stories of conquest, surrender, and philosophy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.