Government in Greece

Today in class we took some notes o the types of government in Greece. Here are my notes:

• During 7th and 6th centuries BCE, aristocrats ran most of Greece
• Rich people wielded much more influence in society + help much more gov power than the middle class or the poor
• Aristocrats- members of the ruling class
• Attended symposiums, meetings where the elite men would enjoy wine, poetry, performances by dancers + acrobats and the company of hetaeras (escorts) while discussing politics
• exclusive club
• no women (except entertainment)
• no middle class
• no slaves
• sometimes aristocrats fall out of power -> set up shadow gov (tyranny)
• Aristocrats would form alliances with Hoplites (well- armed soldiers) set up alternative form of gov called a tyranny
• Tyrant: someone who rules outside the framework of the polis
• Modern: abuse of power