polis
n. countablen. an ancient Greek city-state, like Athens or Sparta. It was not just a city, but a whole community with its own government and laws.
n. an ancient Greek city-state, serving as a political and cultural unit. Often used in modern academic contexts to refer to the classical Greek concept of a self-governing community.
The polis was the center of life in ancient Greece.
In the classical period, each polis maintained its own unique laws and military forces while participating in a shared cultural identity.
The philosopher Aristotle famously defined the polis as the highest form of human association, arguing that it was essential for the realization of individual virtue and the common good.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *tpelH- Proto-Hellenic *ptólis Ancient Greek πόλις (pólis)lbor. English polis Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek πόλις (pólis, “fortified town; city state”).
Borrowed from Scots polis. Doublet of police, policy, and polity.