Ancient GreeceDaily Life in Athens

The AgoraAgora: Public markets or

meeting places◦Center of public life

Men would talk politics, philosophy, or events

Vendors, farmers, and artisans◦Wool, pottery, hardware, cloth, books

Temples & government buildings lined Agora

Virtual Agora Tour

School in AthensWrote on wooden wax tabletsLessons were long history

passages that they had to memorize

Afternoon was spent in athletic practice and competition◦Discus, wrestling

Home Life in Athens

Plain, simple, mud brick houses◦Rooms around an open courtyard in the middle◦Kitchen, storerooms, dining room, bedroom◦Bathrooms had water which needed to be carried

in from public fountainSimple food

◦Bread for breakfast◦Cheese or olives with bread for lunch◦Fish and veggies with cheese, fruit, and honey

cakes for dinner Meat not often eaten, except during religious festivals

Virtual House Tour

Women

Spent most of their time at homeCould not participate in politicsCould be priestessesIn charge of running the home and the family

◦ Cloth work, food, drink◦ Cared for young children◦ In charge of finances and slaves

Poorer women would work outside the home◦ Pottery, tending sheep, making cloth

Women expected to be invisible◦ For their protection◦ Did not spend much time in the Agora

Slavery

Slave labor allowed Athenian men leisure time◦ Most households could not survive without them

Slavery common◦ 100,000 slaves (1/3 of population)

People were captured in war or by pirates◦ Made into slaves

You were a slave if you were born into slave families

Some people had issues with owning other Greeks◦ Most slaves were foreigners

Slaves were not considered citizens◦ No political rights, personal freedom, or education◦ Could be freed or buy own freedom