The polis structure characteristic of the ancient Greek world was a direct product of uncontrollable, geographic factors, namely the rugged landscape, access to the Mediterranean Sea, and the islands that mark much of its southern regions. The simultaneous fragmentation and connection allowed by the mountains and sea eventually formed over 1,000 polies in the Greek World. The fragmented nature of these communities served to create unique identities, but united them by language and broader religious beliefs. It is this inconsistency, the distinct city-state and the overwhelming Greek identity that conceived ancient
Greece’s undeniable impact on modern civilization in the form of a unified Greek alphabet, astronomy, architecture, and a diverse mythology.
The …show more content…
The formation of poleis marked one of the first recorded democratic governments in the world (Ohio State). In the context of the ancient world, this direct democracy was considered to be highly inclusive, as socioeconomic status did not factor into political participation for men.
Greece’s mountainous landscape that is lacking in large waterways created physical borders between regions, thereby dividing communities both politically and agriculturally. The political borders were drawn largely based on the geographic limitations of the city-state such as mountains and other rugged land (Ohio State). These limitations prohibited the growth of a great empire like those of Mesopotamia and Egypt (McKay, 117). The rocky landscape that covers nearly 80% of Greece also limited the agricultural production of each polis, forcing farmers and shepherds to rely on valleys located in the countryside and trade for natural resources. In addition to the mountainous landscape, Greece was further divided by its thousands of islands that made it difficult for regions to unite under one political name (Carnine, 4). As such, the polis continued
Greece’s undeniable impact on modern civilization in the form of a unified Greek alphabet, astronomy, architecture, and a diverse mythology.
The …show more content…
The formation of poleis marked one of the first recorded democratic governments in the world (Ohio State). In the context of the ancient world, this direct democracy was considered to be highly inclusive, as socioeconomic status did not factor into political participation for men.
Greece’s mountainous landscape that is lacking in large waterways created physical borders between regions, thereby dividing communities both politically and agriculturally. The political borders were drawn largely based on the geographic limitations of the city-state such as mountains and other rugged land (Ohio State). These limitations prohibited the growth of a great empire like those of Mesopotamia and Egypt (McKay, 117). The rocky landscape that covers nearly 80% of Greece also limited the agricultural production of each polis, forcing farmers and shepherds to rely on valleys located in the countryside and trade for natural resources. In addition to the mountainous landscape, Greece was further divided by its thousands of islands that made it difficult for regions to unite under one political name (Carnine, 4). As such, the polis continued