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Ancient Greek City-States — Reading Comprehension

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This history reading passage explores the development and significance of city-states in ancient civilizations, focusing on Greek polis and Mesopotamian cities. Students will learn about the concept of self-governing cities, their social hierarchies, daily life, and the influence of geography. The passage highlights archaeological evidence and primary sources, and includes a comparison between different civilizations. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, graphic organizers, timeline, and writing prompts. This resource provides read aloud audio and a Spanish translation, supporting diverse classrooms. Aligned with CA HSS 6.2 and CCSS RI.6.3, it helps students analyze historical cause and effect, continuity and change, and the broader impact of city-states on world history.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Greece, reverse, The Acropolis — "Greece, The Acropolis" / Europeana (Public domain).

City-states were independent cities that governed themselves and controlled surrounding territories. In ancient history, city-states played a crucial role in the development of civilizations, especially in regions like Mesopotamia and Greece. Unlike modern countries, these city-states had their own governments, laws, and armies. They often competed, traded, and sometimes fought with one another.

The earliest known city-states emerged in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. Sumerian cities such as Ur, Uruk, and Lagash are some of the oldest examples. Each Sumerian city-state was centered around a temple called a ziggurat, which was believed to be the home of the city's chief god. Archaeological evidence, such as cuneiform tablets, shows that priests and rulers managed irrigation, collected taxes, and enforced laws. The famous Code of Ur-Nammu, dating to about 2100 BCE, is one of the oldest sets of laws discovered, giving us insight into how these city-states functioned.

In ancient Greece, city-states were known as poleis (singular: polis). By 800 BCE, the Greek world was divided into dozens of poleis, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. Each polis had its own form of government. Athens, for example, developed democracy, where free male citizens could vote on laws. In contrast, Sparta was ruled by a small group of elders and focused on military strength. The geography of Greece, with its mountains and islands, made it difficult to unify under one government, which helped city-states stay independent.

Daily life in a city-state depended on social hierarchy. Most people were farmers, craftsmen, or traders, while a smaller group made up the ruling class. In Sumerian city-states, kings claimed they were chosen by the gods, and priests held great power. In Greek city-states like Athens, citizens participated in government, but women, slaves, and foreigners had limited rights. Archaeological finds, such as pottery and inscriptions, show the differences in art, religion, and government among city-states.

City-states were important because they encouraged the development of new ideas about government, citizenship, and law. Some, like Athens, became centers of art, philosophy, and science. Over time, city-states often joined together for protection or formed alliances, but they usually kept their independence. The concept of the city-state influenced later civilizations, and many of their ideas about law and government still shape the world today.

City-states connect to the broader theme of how human societies organize themselves, respond to geography, and build systems of government that influence later history.

Interesting Fact: The Olympic Games began in Olympia, a Greek city-state, in 776 BCE as a festival to honor Zeus.

What is a city-state?

An independent city with its own rulesA large countryA group of villagesA trading market

Which city-state had democracy?

SpartaAthensUrukLagash

What was a ziggurat?

A temple in MesopotamiaA Greek theaterA law codeA type of government

Why did Greek city-states stay independent?

Their geography made travel hardThey had the same rulerThey spoke different languagesThey had no leaders

What is the Code of Ur-Nammu?

A set of ancient lawsA Greek cityA type of potteryA mountain in Greece

Who had limited rights in Athens?