What was the role of the polis in Greek society?

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Spartan HopliteThis bronze figurine portrays an armed foot soldier about to strike an enemy. His massive helmet with its full crest gives his head nearly complete protection, while a metal corselet covers his chest and back, and greaves (similar to today’s shin guards) protect his shins. In his right hand he carries a thrusting spear (now broken off), and in his left a large round shield. (bpk, Berlin/Antikensammlung, Staaliche Museen, Berlin, Germany/Photo: Johannes Laurentius/Art Resource, NY)

HHomer lived in the era after the Dark Age, which later historians have termed the Archaic age (800–500 B.C.E.). The most important political change in this period was the development of the polis (PAH-luhs; plural poleis), a word generally translated as “city-state.” During the Archaic period, poleis established colonies throughout much of the Mediterranean, spreading Greek culture, and two particular poleis rose to prominence on the Greek mainland: Sparta and Athens.