In the Greek city-state (polis), the citizen body was central to political, social and religious life, while free inhabitants without full citizenship occupied an ambiguous and often marginalized position. Although some managed to obtain citizenship, such cases were exceptional; most non-citizens—as they are typically referred to by scholars—had little hope of a change in status. Who were these individuals, and how did they navigate their exclusion from civic rights? Drawing on epigraphic evidence, this lecture examines the terminology associated with non-citizenship, the institutional and fiscal mechanisms that reinforced exclusion, and the internal hierarchies within this group. Particular attention is paid to how cities sought to incorporate these residents and how non-citizens themselves engaged in civic life. Their involvement in festivals, liturgies, public dedications, professional associations and local subdivisions reveals a complex interplay between inclusion and marginalization. The lecture combines a broad overview with selected case studies to illustrate these dynamics.