Why did metics not have the full rights of citzen
Metics in ancient Greece did not have the full rights of citizens primarily because they were considered non-native residents or foreigners. The concept of citizenship in ancient Greece was tied to birth and lineage, and metics were people who had migrated to a city-state but were not born there or did not have citizen parents.
The lack of full rights for metics was a way for the city-states to maintain control and preserve the privileges of citizenship for those considered native-born. The citizen class in ancient Greece held significant social, political, and legal rights, including the ability to vote, hold public office, own property, and participate in the governance of their city-state. Giving these rights to foreign-born residents or metics was seen as a potential threat to the existing power structure and the privileges of the citizen class.
However, metics were not completely devoid of rights and did have some legal protections and limited participation in society. They were subject to certain obligations, such as paying taxes and serving in the military if required. They could also engage in trade, own property, and have legal contracts. In some cases, metics could also gain a level of influence or prominence by contributing significantly to the city-state through commerce or other achievements.
Overall, the limited rights of metics in ancient Greece were a reflection of the exclusivity and strict criteria attached to citizenship, which was considered an inherited status tied to ancestry and birth within a city-state.