6th grade question:what were greek city-states and how did they function

Each city-state was called a "polis" (but in Greek letters, of course) and functioned as an independent country.

http://wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/POLIS.HTM

green eggs and ham

Greek city-states were independent and self-governing communities that existed in ancient Greece. They were characterized by having their own government, laws, and central city called a polis. The polis was the center of political, economic, and social life for the citizens.

To understand how Greek city-states functioned, we can look at Athens, one of the most well-known city-states. Athens had a direct democracy, where adult male citizens could participate in decision-making by voting in the assembly. This meant that citizens could have a voice in matters that affected the city-state.

In addition to the assembly, Athens also had a council called the Boule, which proposed laws, managed public finances, and oversaw the government. They ensured that decisions made by the assembly were implemented effectively.

Athens also had a court system, where citizens could bring cases and seek justice. This helped maintain law and order within the city-state.

Each city-state had its own specific form of government and society. For example, Sparta, another prominent city-state, had a militaristic society and an oligarchy, where a small group of people held power. The roles and responsibilities of citizens varied between city-states, as did the rights and privileges they possessed.

Overall, Greek city-states functioned as independent entities with their own governments, laws, and social structures. While there were common features, each city-state had its own unique characteristics and ways of governing.