Who set the rules and maintained authority within the city state?

In a city-state, the rules and authority were typically established and maintained by a central governing body, which could be a monarchy, oligarchy, or democracy, depending on the specific city-state. Leaders, such as kings, elected officials, or councils, enforced laws and managed civic affairs. Additionally, religious leaders often played a significant role in legitimizing authority and guiding moral conduct. Ultimately, the structure and nature of governance varied widely among different city-states throughout history.