1/2 right, of troy. Polis is the Greek for city. Apart from its use in place names, we also have to thank this root for politics etc. Hoi polloi is Greek for the (hoi) many (polloi). Polloi is the masculine plural of the adjective from which we get our prefix poly meaning many (polygamy, polyandry etc.)As far as I know there's no connection between polis and the poly adjective.

Populus on the other hand comes from the Latin for people (in the political sense). Hence SPQR Senatus Populusque Romanus (the Roman Senate and People).

Bingley

Bingley