What was the polis in greek civilization?

A polis (plural poleis) was an ancient Greek city-state. Greek poleis, which included Athens, Sparta, and Corinth--to name a few--were independent cities ruled by the local citizens  rather than a foreign power or national government. Poleis had several identifying characteristics; here are a few:

• independence and self-governance


• walls


• an Agora (a centralized meeting-place)


• an Acropolis (a citadel)


• temples


• theaters


• citizenship

Eventually, a polis might grow so large that it would establish colonies. Thus, the original polis would come to be referred to as a "mother-polis" or metropolis.

Over time, the word polis began to refer to the entire body of a city's citizens; thus the polis referred not just to the geography and government of Athens but also to the entire body of Athenians.

The word polis has a number of English derivatives. A few include: politics, police, and policy.