Question
Which groups were considered citizens in ancient Greece? Select the three correct answers.
(1 point)
Responses
aristocrats
aristocrats
tenant farmers
tenant farmers
small farmers
small farmers
slaves
slaves
foreigners
foreigners
women
In ancient Greece, the concept of citizenship varied depending on the city-state (polis) and the era. However, there were some commonalities in who was generally considered a citizen:
1. **Aristocrats:** In many Greek city-states, aristocrats (members of the nobility or the wealthy elite) were indeed among those who were considered citizens and often held a significant amount of power and influence.
2. **Small farmers:** In some city-states, including the notable example of Athens, small farmers who were free men (not slaves) and owned land were also considered citizens. These individuals often had the right to participate in the assembly and vote on matters affecting the polis.
In contrast:
- **Tenant farmers:** Depending on the city-state and time period, tenant farmers who did not own land (often called "metics" or resident aliens in Athens) might not have had the full rights of citizens but could have had certain privileges, such as the right to work and live in the city-state. They were generally not considered full citizens with political rights.
- **Slaves:** Slaves were not considered citizens at all. They were property of their masters and had no political rights or freedoms. They were considered as living tools and had very few, if any, protections under the law.
- **Foreigners:** Foreigners, even if they lived within a city-state, were usually not considered citizens. They were often referred to as "metics" in Athens, where they could reside and work but did not have political rights.
- **Women:** In most Greek city-states, including Athens, women were not considered full citizens and could not participate in the political process. They had very limited rights and were represented by their male relatives in legal and public affairs.
Therefore, the three correct answers that were generally considered citizens (with the right to participate in political life) in many ancient Greek city-states would be:
- Aristocrats
- Small farmers
For a complete understanding of citizenship in ancient Greece, one must look into the specific laws and customs of each individual city-state, as they could differ significantly.