Time: 11:48:52 CET
Topic: 10. Local Patriotism of the Greeks: the City the Political Unit
Tags: history, Greece, ancient Greeks, city-state, polis, political unit, territory, district, Athens, Arcadia, agoras, gymnasia, Attica, villages, towns, citizenship, public assembly, Aristotle, ideal city
The Fractured Landscape of Ancient Greece: City-States Take Center Stage
Unlike many modern nations, the ancient Greeks lacked a unified political structure. Their loyalty was centered on the city, or polis, which functioned as a self-governing state, much like an independent nation today.
Citizenship and City Walls: Defining Boundaries
Being a citizen of one polis meant being considered a foreigner in another. Restrictions existed, preventing marriage or property ownership across city borders.
Beyond Our Modern Definition of a City
However, the Greek concept of a city differed significantly from ours. It wasn't just a densely populated urban center. A polis could encompass a broader territory, even encompassing rural areas. For instance, the term "polis" was applied to the scattered districts of Arcadia.
The Essential Elements of a Polis
An ideal polis wasn't simply a collection of scattered dwellings or unprotected villages. A walled town, serving as the central hub, was crucial. This town would typically house public buildings like theaters, temples, marketplaces (agoras), and gymnasiums.
The size of the polis could vary. Sometimes, it consisted solely of a walled town with surrounding farmland, a coastal strip, or a valley/plain enclosed by mountains. Other polises encompassed a network of smaller settlements alongside the central town. For example, at its peak, Athens encompassed all of Attica, including its numerous villages and towns (some even fortified). These smaller settlements were politically integrated with Athens, with some residents having the privilege of Athenian citizenship and participating in public assemblies at the capital.
The Ideal City: Size Matters
The Greeks believed a model city, or state as we'd call it, shouldn't be excessively large. They valued moderation, embracing the Delphic maxim: "Nothing in excess." One Greek poet expressed the sentiment that a well-governed, smaller city was preferable to a vast and chaotic metropolis like Nineveh. Even the influential philosopher Aristotle believed the ideal city shouldn't have more than ten thousand citizens. By this standard, Athens, with its citizen population reaching between twenty and thirty thousand, was considered too large.
A Land of Many Cities, a People of Diverse Loyalties
The concept of the polis fragmented ancient Greece into a collection of independent city-states, each with its own identity, government, and sense of pride. This emphasis on local allegiance would have a profound impact on the course of Greek history.