1. Monarchy: In the early days of ancient Greece, many city-states were ruled by kings. These rulers were often believed to be descended from the gods, and they inherited their position through royal lineage.
2. Aristocracy: As Greek society became more complex and urbanized, aristocracies began to emerge. These were governments ruled by a small group of wealthy and powerful landowners. The aristocrats would often choose their own leaders from within their ranks, based on factors such as wealth, land ownership, and military prowess.
3. Democracy: Democracy, as we understand it today, originated in ancient Greece. The most famous example is the Athenian democracy, where all male citizens over the age of 18 were allowed to participate in the assembly, which made decisions about laws and policies. However, it is important to note that Athenian democracy excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens.
4. Tyranny: In some cases, a single individual would gain control of a city-state through force or manipulation, becoming a tyrant. Tyrants often ruled with oppressive authority, and their power was often not hereditary.
It's worth mentioning that these systems of government were not static, and they evolved and changed over time. Additionally, there were variations in the specific mechanisms used to choose rulers, even within the same type of government.