Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0231 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Classifying a Greek Government: Aristocracy, Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy
The idea
The exam describes a polis's government and asks what to call it. The method is two questions: who holds office, and by what right. Aristocracy: the best families, by birth. Tyranny: one man, by appointment or seizure without legal right. Oligarchy: the wealthy, by property qualification under written law. Democracy: all male citizens, by citizenship, with offices by lot or election.
In practice
Four cases. A council of elders from old families making law while commoners watch: birth, so aristocracy, the early polis. A popular aristocrat installed by hoplites to redistribute land and build public works, ruling without a legal title: one man without right, so tyranny in the Greek sense. A city after five hundred where office requires wealth, laws are written, and the poor vote yes or no: property under law, so oligarchy. A city where a farmer too poor to own armor votes and may be chosen by lot to make law: citizenship, so democracy, Athens after five oh eight.
Where people slip
Sparta fits none cleanly: two kings, a council, an assembly that only approves, and a citizen body that is itself a tiny elite over helots. Call it a mixed constitution, and expect the exam to ask why it does not fit rather than which box it fills.
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