Daily Life in Athens

CH 5 Section 4

Chapter Review

• What book tells the story of the Trojan war?

• Someone who took power but had the peoples support?

• The Olympic games were held every 4 years in honor of who?

• Who wrote the first Athenian law code?

• Who made sure the king stayed within the law?

The Athenian Economy• The Farmers in Athens planted olives, Grapes,

and figs on Terraced hillsides• {Terracing is carving small flat plots of land on

hillsides}• The Athenian assembly voted to send farmers

and workers to set up over seas colonies• This led to the spread of Greek culture

throughout the Mediterranean• {Trade was the mainstay of Athens economy}• Exported: olive oil, wine, & house hold items• Imported : grain and other food

Imports and exports

• An import is a good or service brought in from another country or region

• An export is a good or service sold to another country or region

Athens buildings

• Athenians built magnificent temples and other public buildings

• However the people of Athens lives in simple homes

• Most Athenians believed that money should be spent on buildings that benefit the whole community, not private homes

• This very much reflects the thought of modern day America (sarcasm intended)

Home and Family• Most Athenians lived in sun dried brick homes

that contained a court yard, living room, dining room, storage rooms, and kitchen

• The houses had no plumbing so residents got water from a public fountain

• Marriage and family life were important and parents would arrange their kids marriage

• Girls married at 13 or 14 to men twice their age or older with the main purpose of having children

• If they could not afford a child they left it to die, especially if it was a girl

Athenian Ruins

Home and family continued

• Athenian Women were considered inferior to men

• They were citizens but could not own property or inherit land

• Even at home they were expected to stay in the background

• {women could only appear in public with their husbands permission}

• They took care of the children till the age of 6, managed the household, and watching the slaves

Boys

• At the age of 7 they were cared for by a Pedagogue

• {Pedagogue is a male slave who taught the boy manners}

Girls• Stayed at home• They learned to run a household but did not

usually receive an education• Daughters of the wealthy did learn to read and

write

Education• Most Greeks were poor and hard workers this

meant they worked long hours and had little time for leisure

• The wealthy men spent their time chancing physical and intellectual perfection

• They engaged in politics, gossip talking with friends, and athletics

• Their male children went to school which charged a small fee

• The Athenian ideal stressed a sound mind in a healthy body

Education continued• Athenians placed great value on literacy and

education• Boys studied reading, writing, grammar, poetry,

music and gymnastics• They learned poetry by heart including Homer’s

Iliad and Odyssey• {Sophists are men who opened schools for

older boys,} at these schools they learned Government, math, ethics, and rhetoric

• {Ethics were taught about good and bad and moral duty}

• {Rhetoric is the study of Public speaking and debating}

Athens School

Military

• At 18 young men received a year of military training

• {Men ones who could afford armor served in the army for a year as a Hoplite}

• Hoplites formed the center of the infantry

• Poorer men who could not afford good armor served in the army on the flanks or rowing boats

Section review

• What is carving small flat plots of land on hillsides?

• What was the mainstay of Athens society?

• What is the name of the male slave that taught boys manners?

• How long were men expected to serve in the army?

The End