WHICh5Sec4-Daily life in Athens

Farmers grew olives, grapes & figs on terraced hillsides

Athens sent out men to form colonies overseas. Colonies spread Greek culture and promoted trade. Trade became the mainstay of the Athenian economy Athens exported olive oil & wine, imported grain and other foods. Athenian ships sailed through the Mediterranean world.

Greeks generally built simple homes but magnificent public buildings. They believed money should be spent on public buildings, to benefit the whole community.

Houses-one or two stories Courtyard in the center; you entered from the outside, into the courtyard. Inside the courtyard, there were doors to the rooms Lamps burned olive oil No plumbing Got water from a public well.

Marriages were arranged by the parents. Girls got married at about 14, men about Purpose of marriage was have children If the family could not afford the child, it was left out to die (infanticide) A Greek woman was supposed to be modest, hardworking, and stay in the house and out of sight.

Sappho was a female poet who lived on the Greek Island of Lesbos 610BC-580BC. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, and unlike most girls, she was well educated. Little is known for certain about her life, but it is believed that she married and had a daughter. She became famous for her poetry during her own lifetime, and was revered by later Greeks as one of the 9 great lyric poets.

Sappho-”Sleep Darling”- “ Sleep, darling I have a small daughter called Cleis, who is like a golden flower I wouldn’t take all Croesus’ kingdom with love thrown in, for her ”

Women legally and socially inferior Could not own property In Athens and most Greek cities other than Sparta, they were expected to stay in the background, preferably in the house, out of sight. They stayed out of sight when their husband’s had guests, rarely appeared in public, and only with their husband’s permission. Duties-to have children, to manage the house and slaves.

Mother took care of all children until about 6 Girls stayed home & were taught to manage the house. They rarely received any other education.

At about age 7, boys went to school (for a small fee) & studied reading, writing, grammar, literature, music, gymnastics. Boys were accompanied by a male slave called a pedagogue, who went everywhere with them and taught them manners. Boys often learned large parts of the Iliad & Odyssey

Most Greeks were poor and hardworking. They labored long hours as farmers or fishermen. Well to do Greek men spent their time in pursuit of intellectual and physical excellence. They discussed politics and philosophy with friends in the agora, and had drinking parties called symposia (symposium is the singular), at which politics and philosophy were discussed.

Greek education stressed a sound mind in a sound body. Grammar was said to develop the mind; music was said to develop the emotions; gymnastics developed the body.

Sophists were men who opened schools and taught older boys. Older boys studied government, math, ethics (philosophy of moral duty), rhetoric (public speaking & debate)

The Greek language spread throughout the lands around the Eastern Mediterranean. Greek became a second language for educated people everywhere in the lands around the Eastern Mediterranean.

At age 18 all Athenian males received a year of military training. Young men who could afford armor and weapons became hoplites (heavily armed Greek foot soldiers), and served in the army when needed. Poorer men also served in the army when needed, but served on the army’s flanks.

Citizens rowed the warships (triremes) in the Athenian fleet. Then navy was the most important defense of Athens.