The Rise of Democracy

Which form of government in a Greek city-state usually came first?

• tyranny

• oligarchy

• monarchy

• democracy

How was it possible that different parts of Greece had different forms of government?

• Different languages made communication difficult.

• Steep mountains kept people from different areas apart.

• Colonies were started by groups from different countries.

• Different kings made different rules about how to govern.

How did most kings in ancient Greece come to power?

• They inherited it from a relative.

• They were elected by the people.

• They paid merchants for support.

• They used soldiers to take control.

Who belonged to the councils of aristocrats?

• rich men who had land from their families

• merchants who became wealthy from trade

• soldiers who were famous for their courage

• popular leaders who won support from the poor

What happened to the king's advisers after the king lost power?

• They were enslaved by the new ruler.

• They sailed away to start colonies.

• They became the new ruling group.

• They asked the people to elect them to office.

Which word in English comes from a Greek word meaning “few”?

• tyrant

• oligarch

• monarch

• democrat

What might an oligarch do on an ordinary day?

• herd sheep and goats

• work hard in the fields

• sell goods in the market

• take part in a chariot race

What kinds of laws did the oligarchs pass?

• laws that meant nothing

• laws that were fair to all

• laws that helped the poor

• laws that favored the rich

Oligarchs were thrown out of power by a partnership between

• sailors and fishers.

• foreign powers and kings.

• army leaders and poor people.

• merchants and skilled artisans.

Who would have most likely said these words? "I was in the army when people began to complain about members of the government getting richer while everybody else was getting poorer. So I stepped forward, and with the people's help, I became a leader."

• a king

• a tyrant

• a citizen

• an aristocrat