Use the table to answer the question.

Question

The Greek City-States Social Structure
Upper class: aristoi
Wealthy citizens
Owned agricultural land and equipment
Held positions in government
Middle class: artisans
Skilled craftsmen
Provided specialized goods and services
Granted citizenship and voting rights
Lower class: perioikoi
Owned less-valuable land
Granted citizenship and voting rights
Agricultural workers outside the city
Varied among polis
Women
Unable to vote
Unable to own land
Did not have the same rights and privileges as men
Rights varied by polis
Laborers and enslaved people
Unable to vote
Unable to own lan
Relied on their employer
Had no legal rights
Provided agricultural services
Foreign citizens
Not granted full rights
Not granted full citizenship
Could achieve citizenship based on resources
Examine the social classes of the ancient Greek poleis. In 3–5 sentences, discuss the differences among the social classes.

Answer 1

In ancient Greek poleis, the social classes were divided into upper class, middle class, lower class, women, laborers and enslaved people, and foreign citizens. The upper class, known as aristoi, were wealthy citizens who owned agricultural land and equipment and held positions in government. The middle class consisted of skilled craftsmen who provided specialized goods and services, and they were granted citizenship and voting rights. The lower class, perioikoi, owned less-valuable land and were agricultural workers outside the city, but they were also granted citizenship and voting rights. Women did not have the same rights and privileges as men and were unable to vote or own land, with their rights varying by polis. Laborers and enslaved people had no legal rights, relied on their employers, and provided agricultural services. Lastly, foreign citizens were not granted full rights or citizenship but could achieve citizenship based on their resources. Overall, there were distinct differences in terms of wealth, rights, and privileges among the social classes in ancient Greek poleis.