Polis[e] (pl.: poleis [f]) means 'city' in Ancient Greek. The ancient word polis had socio-political connotations not possessed by modern usage. For example, Modern Greek πόλη (póli), "city", is located within a χώρα (chóra), "country", which is a πατρίδα (patrída) or "native land" for its citizens. [3] .
Government was centred in the town, but citizens of the polis lived throughout its territory. Ideally, the polis was a corporation of citizens who all participated in its government, religious cults, defense, and economic welfare and who obeyed its sacred and customary laws.
A polis (plural: poleis) was the typical structure of a community in the ancient Greek world. A polis consisted of an urban centre, often fortified and with a sacred centre built on a natural acropolis or harbour, which controlled a surrounding territory (chora) of land.
Explore the ancient Greek polis, a self-governing city-state that shaped trade, warfare, religion, and civic life across Athens, Sparta, and other poleis.
The polis: The heart and soul of Ancient Greece - History Skills
Without a powerful, centralized state, smaller governing bodies created political order. One such type of governing body was the city-state or polis. Initially, the term polis referred to a fortified area or citadel which offered protection during times of war.
In Polis, John Ma looks at this classical institution, and finds it’s still relevant today. The ancient Greek polis, or city-state, was a resilient and adaptable political institution founded on the principles of citizenship, freedom, and equality.
Polis proposes a panoramic account of the ancient Greek city-state, its diverse forms, and enduring characteristics over the span of a millennium.