There were various forms of
government in ancient Greece. These forms of government changed over large span
of time. Ancient Grecian government forms, like monarchy, aristocracy,
oligarchy, and democracy, all have their differences.
In 500 B.C.E. the people of Greece decided to
form a government where the citizens share in ruling power. This government is
called democracy, and it is the government we use today in the United States.
From about 2000 to 800 B.C.E. Greek city-states
were mainly ruled by a monarch. The monarchy would be ruled by one person,
usually a king because Greek city-states would not have queens. Much like the
government we have in the United States now, our leader is also chosen by the
people. Unlike monarchy, we do have a say in more of our government’s choices
whereas in monarchy the leader makes all of the choices. These kings depended
on aristocrats to aid and advise them. These aristocrats are similar to those
who aid and advise the president, although these people are not chosen to do
their job because they are simply wealthier than others.
By 800 B.C.E. the aristocrats
figured they could over throw the monarch. This lead to Oligarchy, where a few wealthy
men rule the city-state. Like life today, the aristocrats were living a good
life while there were people trying to live beneath them. Some people are just trying
to live their lives with what they have and others have it easy. I would say
that the way the oligarchs were living does not completely resemble life now. I
believe our government does care about us and they are trying to improve
conditions that some people are living in now. In other ways they are living
the life when people out there are still homeless and hungry.
