ANCIENT GREECE A Day in the Life

GREEK MEN Ran the government Spent much time away from home:  In fields  Sailing  Hunting  Warring Leisure activities: drinking parties; wrestling; horseback riding; training for Olympic games

GREEK WOMEN Responsible for running the house and bearing children In charge of the household, including slaves Limited freedom outside the home (except for Spartan women)  Could not attend Olympic games Could attend weddings, funerals, and some religious festivals Could visit female neighbours, but only for brief periods of time

WRITTEN SOURCES REGARDING WOMEN Hipponax, On Women, c. 580 BCE  Two happy days a woman brings a man: the first, when he marries her; the second, when he bears her to the grave. Thukydides, Pericles' Dictum on Women, c. 395 BCE  The best wife is the one of whom the least is said, either of good or evil. Philemon, The Good Wife, c. 350 BCE  A good wife's duty 'tis, Nicostratus, not to command, but to obey her spouse; most mischievous a wife who rules her husband.

SLAVES Hellenic society depended heavily on slaves Slaves viewed as property  Not citizens of Greece  Treated humanely or cruelly, depending on the owner Prisoners of war, or bought from traders Name given by owner Could not: go to school, enter politics or use own name Sometimes taught young children

HOUSING 6th/5th Century BCE: 2 or 3 rooms built around an open-air courtyard Made of stone, wood or clay bricks Life centered around the courtyard  Inhabitants gathered to hear stories and fablesfables  People would eat, play, and work in the courtyard  Similar to the modern family room

ET CETERA Beauty = Blonde hair, pale complexion Barber shops became popular in Greece because men exchanged political and sports news, philosophy, and gossip Dance was important as it was believed to improve physical and emotional health  Men and women did not dance together, though  More than 200 ancient Greek dances: for weddings, funerals, war, religious worship, etc.

ATHENS VS. SPARTA ATHENS Purpose: to produce citizens Home-taught by mother and slave until : primary school (words of Homer, play lyre) 14-18: high school 18-20: Military school Daughters of rich families taught by private tutors SPARTA Purpose: Well-drilled, well-disciplined marching army Sent to army at age 6-7  Taught survival skills Courses were very hard and often painful Stealing acceptable; being caught was not 18-20: test  Fail the test, become a member of the middle class  Pass the test, become a full citizen

SPARTAN GOVERNMENT Government examined all newborns  Weak, sick, and/or “imperfect” left to die on mountainside Spartan boys beaten and half starved to teach toughness  Some die Every boy grows up to join army Spartans did not talk to helots  Would be suspected of encouraging revolt

RELIGION Each god had their own special priests and priestesses People made animal sacrifices, but not of the whole animal  Gods, like humans enjoy a good meal  Priests/worshipers eat meat and leave fat and bones for the gods  Remember why? Hint: Prometheus Poor people offered small cakes and wine Many poor families have small altars in their homes

THEATRE Equivalent to our movie theatres, internet, and TV all rolled into one Must pay to get in  City only gives free entry to citizens who cannot afford the price of admission Actors play several different roles by changing masks  Females not allowed to act Few women watched plays  Athenians thought tragic plays were too upsetting for women to watch, and comic plays too vulgar Satyrs (half-man, half-beast) make fun of tragic plays Chorus comments on events as they happen in the play Stagehands paint the scenery on the wall at the back of the stage

GOING OUT TO EAT Only men were allowed to eat in public  The only women present were entertainers  Women dined privately  The poor had more freedom to meet with friends Offerings of wine made to the gods Eat lying down Totally acceptable to fall asleep while eating