Daily Life in Athens

The Economy

• Most Athenian citizens were farmers.– They grew things like olives, grapes, and figs.– They planted crops on terraced hillsides.• Terracing means carving small, flat plots of land from

hillsides

• Trade was also a very important part of Athens’s economy.– The Athenian’s used their superior navy to

establish colonies along the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas .

– They exported olive oil, wine, and other household items, and imported grain and other foods they could not grow.

Athenian Home• Athenians built huge temples and public

buildings and generally believed that money should be spent on buildings that benefit the whole community.

• Most people lived in one-story houses made of brick. These houses included:– Courtyards– Living rooms– Dining rooms– Bedrooms– Storerooms– Kitchen

Frescoes Paintings done on wet plaster walls

• They had lamps that burned olive oil.– Dim lighting

• They had no plumbing– Athenian families got water from a fountain near

the agora (Marketplace).

Athenian Family Life• Marriage – Marriage and family were very important to the

Athenians. – The main purpose of marriage was to have

children.• Parents always arranged marriages• Girls married around age 13 or 14• A girl’s husband might be twice her age or older

• Role of Women– Athenian women were considered inferior to men.– They were citizens but they could not own or

inherit property.– A woman’s duties included:• Managing the household and slaves • Raising the children

• Role of the children– The mother took care of the children until age 6.– At about age 7, boys come under the care of a

pedagogue.• This was a male slave who helped educate the boys and

taught them manners. • They went to school with the boys.

– Boys went to school– Girls stayed at home and learned to run a

household .• They usually received no further education• Wealthy girls were taught to read and write

Education• Athenians placed great value on literacy and

education. • The Athenian ideal stressed a sound mind and

a healthy body.

• Elementary School– Families sent their sons to elementary schools for

a small fee.– They studied reading , writing, grammar, music,

and gymnastics.• Grammar and music were taught to develop the mind• Gymnastics developed the body

– They also studied poetry and were required to learn works like the Iliad and Odyssey by heart.

• Sophist School– Men called Sophists opened these schools for

older boys.• Sophists took their name from the Greek work sophos,

meaning “wise”.

– These boys studied government, math, ethics and rhetoric.• Ethics= the study of what is good and bad and what is

moral duty• Rhetoric= the study of public speaking and debating

Military Service• At the age of 18 Athenian males received a

year of military training.

• Young men who could afford armor and weapons became hoplites.

• Poor men served in the army’s flanks.