Use the table to answer the 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 land 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. (4 points)

Answer 1

The social structure of ancient Greek city-states was distinctly hierarchical, with significant differences in rights and privileges among the classes. The upper class, known as the aristoi, comprised wealthy citizens who owned agricultural land and held government positions, granting them substantial influence. In contrast, the middle class consisted of skilled artisans who, while granted citizenship and voting rights, were economically dependent on their crafts. The lower class, including the perioikoi and agricultural workers, had limited rights, but some could achieve citizenship, albeit with less social standing. Women, laborers, and enslaved people faced significant restrictions, lacking both voting rights and property ownership, further emphasizing the inequalities within the societal framework.