Citizens, the rulers of the polis in Greece, not only had the privilege to manage their countries and possess landed property, but also were responsible for the safety of their polis.

• 希腊城邦发达的直接民主制度使公民作为一个统治群体参与城邦的治理,他们的利益与城邦的利益息息相关,这种状况在雅典尤其明显。第二章主要论述城邦的危机和公民队伍的瓦解。