Final answer:
At the end of the Archaic period, political power in Ancient Greece was characterized by the emergence of tyrants who addressed social inequalities and implemented reforms. However, oligarchic elements persisted, leading to an unequal distribution of political power.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of the Archaic period, the political power in Ancient Greece can be described as a mix of different systems. Two main trains of thought emerged:
- Emergence of tyrants addressing social inequalities and implementing reforms - During the Archaic period, some city-states had tyrants who seized lands from aristocrats and distributed them to free citizens. They also built public works, promoted trade, and addressed social inequalities to maintain their power.
- Persistence of oligarchic elements and unequal distribution of political power - After the Age of Tyrants, a compromise government called oligarchy tended to replace both aristocracies and tyrannies. Oligarchy allowed anyone with enough money to hold office, but political power was still concentrated in the hands of the wealthy elite, leading to an unequal distribution of power.
These different systems coexisted during this period, with some city-states experiencing democratic developments and others maintaining oligarchic elements.