polis

Playwrights addressed the polis not by dramatizing current events but by recasting tales from the mythological and historic past to sharpen critical thinking on contemporary concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2025

They were woven into the fabric of a democratic polis.

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2025

Now protected by their own walls, and in possession of all the civic tools needed to form their own polis, the Helots were liberated from Spartan tyranny at long last.

From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2024

Greek citizens could only be members of a single polis, and citizens had some kind of role in political decision-making.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

If on their own they would wander all over this big L.A. without a plan other than to avoid polis.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

Thus, between 405 BCE – 338 BCE, the old order of the hoplites and republics atrophied, replaced by oligarchic councils or tyrants in the poleis and stronger, tax-supported states.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

Cyrus swiftly defeated the Greek poleis, but instead of punishing the Greeks for opposing him he allowed them to keep their language, religion, and culture, simply insisting they give him loyal warriors and offer tribute.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

Despite having no initial interest in establishing direct control in Greece, the Romans found that rival Greek poleis clamored for Roman help in their conflicts, and Roman influence in the region grew.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

While the practice was outlawed in Athens by Solon, most poleis still allowed the enslavement of their own people who were unable to pay debts.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

The Hellenic municipalities were developments from the poleis, or city-states, which existed prior to the Roman conquest in Greece and the Hellenized areas of Asia and Africa.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly