📚 Part 1: Read and Multiple Choice

Reading Passage: Social Structure in Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece was not one united country. It was made up of independent city-states, such as Athens and Sparta. Each city-state had its own laws, government, army, and customs. Although their systems were different, most Greek city-states were organised into social groups with different rights and responsibilities.

Citizens were usually free adult males whose parents were citizens. In Athens, citizens could take part in the Assembly, vote on some decisions, serve on juries, and sometimes hold public office. Citizenship was limited because Greek leaders believed that only citizens should help govern the city-state. Women, children, foreigners, and enslaved people were not normally allowed to vote.

Metics were foreigners who lived permanently in Athens or another Greek city-state. They worked as traders, craftspeople, and business owners. Metics paid taxes and could contribute to the city's economy, but they did not have the same political rights as citizens. They usually could not vote or hold important government positions.

Women played an important role in family and household life. In Athens, women generally had few political rights and were expected to manage the home, raise children, and organise household work. Their experiences differed depending on their wealth and family background. In Sparta, women often had more freedom to manage property and households because men spent much of their time training for or serving in the army.

Enslaved people had very few rights and could be owned by individuals or the state. They performed many kinds of work, including household tasks, farming, mining, and skilled crafts. In Sparta, helots were state-bound labourers who worked the land for Spartan households. They were not ordinary citizens and were closely controlled by the Spartan state.

Athens and Sparta valued different qualities. Athens became known for public debate, trade, art, and participation by male citizens in government. Sparta focused on military training, discipline, and obedience. Both societies depended heavily on people who did not have full political rights, which sometimes created tension and the possibility of rebellion.

✏️ Part 2: Short Responses & Activity