Ancient Athens
Government-
Democracy in Athens was at it's height by the fifth century BC. Athenian citizens decided how their city would be run.
At meetings, they voted on laws and officials. If someone was suspected of trying to "grab power" they would be
ostracised, which meant that if more then 6000 citizens spoke against someone, they would be banished from Athens for ten years. The people of Athens expressed their feelings by scratching the accused's name on a piece of broken pottery, called the ostrakon.
Democracy in Athens was at it's height by the fifth century BC. Athenian citizens decided how their city would be run.
At meetings, they voted on laws and officials. If someone was suspected of trying to "grab power" they would be
ostracised, which meant that if more then 6000 citizens spoke against someone, they would be banished from Athens for ten years. The people of Athens expressed their feelings by scratching the accused's name on a piece of broken pottery, called the ostrakon.
Education-
Most boys went to school between the age of 7-14, while the girls stayed at home and learned the skills do housekeeping and motherhood. Some families hired private tutors for their daughters. The schools were usually a one room sort of area and it didn't cost much to get enrolled. The three main subjects that were learnt were Grammar, music and gymnastics. The school day started at dawn and finished at late noon. Teachers were often retired military men, with strong discipline and happy to give a beating if anyone did he wrong thing.
Most boys went to school between the age of 7-14, while the girls stayed at home and learned the skills do housekeeping and motherhood. Some families hired private tutors for their daughters. The schools were usually a one room sort of area and it didn't cost much to get enrolled. The three main subjects that were learnt were Grammar, music and gymnastics. The school day started at dawn and finished at late noon. Teachers were often retired military men, with strong discipline and happy to give a beating if anyone did he wrong thing.
Housing-
Most of the houses in Athens two storeys, yet very small. Most wealthy Athenians didn't spend their money on building mansions because they used it to fund athletic and religious events instead. Athenian houses were made from sun-dried bricks. All the rooms were usually very dark and airless spaces. This was because the windows were small and open fries were usually lit inside. The men and women often had separate loving areas. The women's was forbidden to strangers and very dark.
Most of the houses in Athens two storeys, yet very small. Most wealthy Athenians didn't spend their money on building mansions because they used it to fund athletic and religious events instead. Athenian houses were made from sun-dried bricks. All the rooms were usually very dark and airless spaces. This was because the windows were small and open fries were usually lit inside. The men and women often had separate loving areas. The women's was forbidden to strangers and very dark.
Daily Life-
One of the few regular trips women made in Athens was to collect water from the local fountains. They collected it in an
amphora. Only men could become citizens. Women had no legal or political rights. Men's banquets were an important part of daily life. They would feast on fried fish, boiled vegetables, bread, figs, dates and much more. After a meal, men would sit around and tell jokes and riddles and play musical instruments. They would usually be naked throughout the whole evening.
One of the few regular trips women made in Athens was to collect water from the local fountains. They collected it in an
amphora. Only men could become citizens. Women had no legal or political rights. Men's banquets were an important part of daily life. They would feast on fried fish, boiled vegetables, bread, figs, dates and much more. After a meal, men would sit around and tell jokes and riddles and play musical instruments. They would usually be naked throughout the whole evening.