Lecture Notes: The Concepts of Polis and Kratos in Ancient Greece

Introduction

• Focus on the concepts of polis and kratos in ancient Greece.
• Examination of the formation and impact of these ideas.

Population and Cultural Influence

• Greece was populated by migrations from Asia Minor and North Africa.
  • Influence seen in cultural artifacts, e.g., statues showing posture of power.

Geography of Greece

• Greece as a peninsula with many islands.
• Varied landscape led to diverse resources and city-state development.

Polis: The City-State

• Definition: Polis means city-state, not to be confused with a nation-state.
• Identification: Allegiance to the city first, regional second, and nation last.
• Example: Athens as a city-state with its own government, military, economy, and culture.

Examples of City-States

• Athens: Located in Attica, close to water, influencing its resources and military.
• Sparta: In the Peloponnese, landlocked, influencing its military and cultural focus.

Composition of a Polis

• Populated by three main groups:
  • Demos: Citizens of the city-state.
  • Slaves: Significant population affecting economy and military.
  • Medics: Greeks from other city-states living in a new polis.

Economy and Resources

• Each polis has its own economy based on local resources.
• Examples of resources: Fish, trade (Athens), timber, agriculture (Sparta).

Military Structures

• Differences based on geography.
  • Athens had a strong navy.
  • Sparta had a strong land army.
• Military composition influenced by wealth and citizenship.

Kratos: Governance

• Kratos means rule (as in governance).
• Different types of kratos in Greek city-states:
  • Autocracy: Rule by one.
  • Aristocracy: Rule by privilege.
  • Oligarchy: Rule by a few.
  • Monarchy: Divine rule (king/queen).
  • Democracy: Rule by the people.
    • Democracy was the kratos of Athens.
• Sparta had a dual monarchy and an assembly.

Conclusion

• The next video will discuss tensions in the Mediterranean during ancient Athens' time.