Download Athens - GCSE Classical Civilisation

GCSE Classical
Civilisation
Unit 1 40201 Topic C
Athens &
Sparta
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Education; o Athenian system;  schools; paidogogos;  Sophists; higher education(cultural/academic) o Spartan system;  agoge;  treatment of boys;  paidonomos;  militaristic 
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Women o upbringing, marriage, education, role/position 
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The Spartan army o mess clubs (syssitia) o weapons o uniform 
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Work o
Athens  Citizens  Metics  Slaves Sparta  Spartiatai  Perioikoi  Helots 
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Everyday life in Athens o Houses o Clothing o dinner parties 
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What were the key features? What was the purpose of this system? What was it trying to get them ready for? What were the strengths and weaknesses of each system? How do they compare to our system today? What were the key features? How did the treatment of women differ between Athens and Sparta? What were the strengths and weaknesses of each system? How do they compare to our system today? How were symposia important to Athenian society? What do they show about Athenian attitudes to education etc? Why was the Spartan Army so effective? What were the key features of the Spartan soldiers? How does this link to education and upbringing? How was society broken down? How do the two systems compare? What were the strengths/weaknesses of each system? Who was treated well/terribly and why do you think this? What were the key features of each area? Athenian Society 
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Many people think of Athens as a perfect democracy, but is this accurate? We don’t really know how many citizens there actually were BUT one estimate suggests that under 20% of the population were able to vote etc (so were full male citizens). Citizens 
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When a freeborn Athenian boy reached 18 he had to register with his local deme‐council. Once he proved he was the child of 2 free‐born Athenians he was considered a citizen. They then carried out 2 years service learning military skills, guarding the borders etc. AFTER he had completed this he was a citizen who could speak in the assembly BUT he didn’t have FULL rights until he was 30. The main rights of a FULL citizen were: o Right to own land o Free from direct taxation o Right to bring lawsuits in court and be a juror o Full political voting rights Politics was different to today – EVERY citizen played a role, voting, serving as officials etc. We get the word idiot from the Greek word for a citizen who didn’t take part in the political life of Athens – idiotes. Metics 
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An important group in Athens that were NOT full citizens were the metics. They were foreigners who lived in Athens. Most came from other Greek cities, but others from further away non‐Greek areas also existed. When in Athens for more than a month, a foreigner had to register as a metic. They had to pay a tax every month AND in times of war, the men had to fight for Athens. While most were not, there are records of small numbers of metics becoming incredibly rich. They were banned from owning property. Most worked in non‐farming trades in Athens and a large % lived in Piraeus, the harbour area of Athens. They didn’t have any political voting rights BUT could worship freely (so Gods from their home country could be worshipped) and did have some protection in the courts. If a metic had carried out something very important/valuable to the city they could be awarded full citizenship. Slaves 
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The slave population of Attica was probably around 100,000 – around 1/3 of the total population. Slavery part of life that virtuyally everyone accepted – it was there and needed. How did people become slaves? o Born into slavery o Babies picked up and saved having been exposed and left to die o Some children were sold into slavery o MAIN way – captured in war o Captured by pirates Main slave market in Athens was in the Agora. Costs varied – age, skills, health etc Average price was 160 drachmas but varied HUGELY the Athenian Nikias paid 6000 for a slave to manage his mining business! Types of Slaves Domestic Slaves ‐ lived in the oikos with a family and carried out tasks in the home – cleaning, shopping, collecting water etc. Often treated as part of the extended family – they were living with the family and around them all the time – female slaves esp. so – wet nurses raised small children and often bonds formed. Wage Earning Slaves – belonged to richer Athenians who hired them out to make money. Unskilled slaves were hired out to work on farms or on the docks. Skilled tradesmen (shoemakers, potters etc) were also hired out in this way. Owners could make HUGE amounts of money! Public Slaves – Owned by the state of Athens and had set, specific jobs to do. One group were the Scythian archers, who acted as a kind of police force to make sure public order was kept. There were also the public street sweepers and the public executioner. 
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Slaves had no political rights and were viewed simply as the property of their owner. Referred to as pais or child – showing their lowly position. Slaves could be used sexually by their owner – this seems to have been reasonably common. They could buy their freedom if they saved any money they received BUT slaves were not often freed. Physical punishment a reality – in court a slave HAD to be tortured before their confession was heard! A few rights by the 5th century BC: o Welcome ceremony at the hearth in the oikos when they joined the family. o Illegal to strike another mans slave o If a slave was being treated unfairly they could seek asylum at a religious altar. An official would hear their complaint and could force the master to sell the slave or swear to treat them better. Probably the WORST place to be an Athenian slave, were the silver mines at Laurion. o Between 10‐20,000 slaves working in the mines, conditions were terrible. o The silver was essential to help keep Athens rich/powerful. o Mines were dark, narrow and often collapsed. o Fumes from the melting ore could poison you. o Forced to live in barracks in a camp guarded by soldiers. NOT nice! Athenian Houses 
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The home was called the oikos. BUT this was a word that described the building AND the people AND all the belongings in the household. The male head of the family was called the kyrios but the day to day running of the house was done by his wife who was known as the kyria. Greek houses were not huge show‐off buildings – Athenians preferred to spend money on public buildings for their city (temples etc). In Athens the wealthier did live in larger houses, but not as large as you might think!  Greece also suffered regular earthquakes so huge houses were not practical. The Greek House  Foundations built of stone with walls on top built of clay‐bricks. These were baked in the sun and could be cut through easily.  Burglars were nicknamed wall piercers as they tended to simply cut a hole in a wall to get into a house!  The roof was made of red clay tiles.  Houses only had small windows set high up in the wall ‐ keeping dust, heat and burglars out of the home!  The focus of the Greek house was the courtyard – all the rooms came off this. Normally there was a well or cistern 
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(a tank for collecting water) in the courtyard. Many household tasks were carried out in the courtyard. Usually there would be a veranda that would give some shade for these tasks to be completed in. Country houses had bigger courtyards to store equipment and sometimes animals. The andron was he most important room in the house and often the best decorated. This was the man’s room where symposia were held. Only slave girls or foreign women were allowed in – NO female citizens. It had couches around the edge of the room and often had pebble mosaics on the floor. The gynaikon was the women’s room. Usually upstairs or hidden at the back of the house, this was where the women carried out the spinning and weaving of cloth. Other rooms were store rooms, bedrooms and if wealthier possibly a bathroom and kitchen. No sewers so any waste thrown onto the streets and washed away by the public slaves. Religion in the Home 
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In the courtyard would be an altar to Zeus Herkeios – who was supposed to protect the boudnaries of the home. Another shrine in the hearth, dedicated to Hestia – goddess of the hearth, at the start of every meal offerings would be thrown into the fire and prayers said. She was supposed to protect the health of the oikos and the togetherness of the family. Outside every home was a herm – a pillar with a face and phallus (penis) carved onto it. These were supposed to bring good fortune AND symbolise male strength and fertility. Clothing in Athens Men Men would wear a tunic, called a chitôn which would finish somewhere around his knees. Over the top they would then wear a cloak called a himation. This was a large rectangle of cloth. Some men wore sandals, some wore heavy boots. The clothing was adapted to be light and airy in the summer and the himation protected the man in the winter. Women Women also wore a kind of chitôn BUT theirs was longer and dropped all the way to the floor. This was fastened together using broaches and pins – if wealthy these could be very ornate. If you were rich you would wear linen cloth, not wool, which would be lighter and nicer to wear. Women often wore a kind of shawl over the top, like the man’s cape, also called a himation. We have lots of vase paintings showing women wearing veils, suggesting women had to cover their faces in public. Spartan Society  Spartan society was STRICTLY split into three parts. The system relied on these parts of society staying where they were.  At the top were the Spartiates (or homioi) at the top – the warriors and rulers of Sparta.  In the middle were the Perioeci, who had some freedoms and acted as craftsmen and traders.  At the bottom were the Helots, who were little more than slaves BUT massively outnumbered the other groups.  Spartiates will be discussed in detail later… Perioeci 
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Lived in their own communities across Spartan territory – they had local citizenship and had limited self rule. They could have their own local rules and laws BUT ultimately must do as Sparta says. The area they had no control over was foreign relations or on war. In war they acted as an important support force. They were the economic heart to the Spartan system – they were the traders, craftsmen and businessmen of Sparta. SPARTIATES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN ANY BUSINESS OR CRAFT – THIS WAS SEEN AS BELOW THEM. They didn’t rebel against the Spartiates as they were not treated that badly! Actually they spent less time at war than a typical citizen of Athens or another Greek city, so why rebel! Helots 
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There were LOTS of helots, between 10‐20:1! They had three main duties: o Farmers on the Spartan land. The land had to produce a set amount each year for the master BUT the helots could keep or sell and excess. o Household Slaves – in the city of Sparta itself. Helot women were famous as nurses for children across Greece. o In war they acted as baggage handlers, messengers and slaves. They didn’t really have any freedoms – they had to stay where they worked and once a year the Spartan magistrates declared war on the Helots! They were kept in place through a mixture of terror and violence . There were SOME rebellions but always brutally punished. BUT… the Helots were the possession of the state NOT the individual so while they could be killed by the state (ie the Krypteia) they couldn’t just be killed by anyone. The Helots had religious freedom and could worship the gods as they wished. They also lived independently from their masters – who were in Sparta. As long as the food and produce continued to be produced… GROWING UP ‐ BOYS Athens Childhood 
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Inspected at birth by a midwife and father – if father refused the baby was left to die outside of the city – EXPOSED. Families wanted a boy – they could inherit property, businesses and the family name. Wreath on the front door – wool for a girl, olives for a boy. 5 days child hidden from rest of family = fear of illness and on the 5th day officially becomes part of the family in ceremony called amphidromia. 10 days after birth = naming day, equivalent of the date a birthday would be celebrated. As a baby/toddle – life spent at home with mother (with a slave/nurse if wealthy enough). o Not lots of evidence BUT what there is shows like modern life – a baby in a kind of high chair etc. Toys have been found and shown on vases playing games. Education School 7‐14 
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Boys sent to school at the age of 7. You had to pay BUT was VERY cheap so only the very poorest couldn’t afford = so majority had a basic education. Teachers not viewed well and seen as very low class in society. Boys ALSO learnt from father the important role of the Kyrios (head of the house) how to run the home, how to treat others in the family etc. Also a boy would learn a trade from his father, so education at home was just as important as actual school. Most pupils would be given a tutor (called the paidogogos) who was a family slave to help at school. o Supervise at home/school, carrying bags etc. o Help pupil with any homework. o Teach good manners and make sure the pupil behaved – if they didn’t the paidogogos could cane them. o Report to the father on progress and make sure the son was making appropriate friends. School not a purpose built building, but a simple room hired by the teacher. Furniture – simple – stools and table for pupils and a blackboard for the teacher. Teachers didn’t have any actual qualifications and the learning was very simple. Pupils expected to copy and repeat information until they knew it – NOT FUN OR CREATIVE! Students studied 3 main areas – academic studies, musical studies and physical education – parents often used a different school for each. Academic Studies 
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The academic teacher was called a grammatistes who would beat pupils with a cane or sandal if they lost focus. Pupils wrote on wax tablets that could be reused – the wax could be rubbed out/remelted. When competent they were sometimes allowed to use ink and papyrus, which was a little like paper. For maths pupils would use an abacus to complete basic sums. 2 poems were a major focus – the Odyssey and the Illiad by Homer. These were supposed to teach Athenian boys heroism, leadership and showed by the Greeks were so good. No exams! Classes were usually small (around 12) and of mixed ages/abilities. Musical Studies 
After 2 or 3 years boys started musical education with a teacher called a Kitharistes. 
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Music was VERY important in Athens for o Religious festivals where you were required to sing/ play an instrument o Symposia – where all male citizens were expected to contribute musically o Military service ‐ music was used to give orders. Boys would usually learn a string instrument called the Kithara first as well as singing. They would sometimes also learn the aulos which was a kind of pipe. The Athenians believed that music helped boys become full, proper and moral citizens – without it they would fail! Physical Education 
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Boys had to be fit and strong as all citziens were needed as soldiers in times of war. The schools for physical education were known as Gymnasia. Usually these were funded by the city to make sure all boys and men were healthy. The teacher was called the paidotribes – exhauster of boys – who carried a forked stick and wore a purple cloak. They would take part in athletics such as the discus, long jump, javelin and running. They also practised boxing and wrestling. The Greeks believed that a healthy mind was linked to a healthy body – all were linked. Higher Education 14+ 
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Sophists – professional teachers who specialised in specific areas – history, geography, geometry, astronomy – BUT the most popular/common subject was Rhetoric – the art of public speaking. Made money by charging for teaching privately/small groups or lecturing (with an admission fee). Rhetoric – KEY skill for any Athenian that wanted to play a leading role – persuasive speaking helped to get others to support your ideas OR it could help you win court cases as a lawyer. ONLY rich Athenians could afford the lessons – they were expensive which limited the amount of people they helped. Sophists unpopular with many o Taught young men to win whatever, even if they were wring! Many thought they helped young men twist the truth to win at any cost. o Many older Athenians didn’t like them as they challenged the traditional establishment. BUT they were very important in helping developing the politicians and leaders of the day. Sparta Childhood 
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When a baby was born, it was checked by a committee of elders – if any illness, weakness or deformity showed the baby was left to die (exposed). It was taken to a sacred spot called the apothetae on the side of Mount Taygetus. o This was done across Greece BUT Sparta was the only place where officials decided and not the father. Spartan babies were immediately toughened up. o Bathed in wine – believed to kill off epilitic babies. o Babies left naked and to cry – to toughen them up. o Children not allowed to be fussy about food – eat it or nothing. Spartan children spent the first 7 years at home with their mother. Education Agoge – 7‐14 
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Aged 7 Spartan boys came under the control of the Spartan City NOT their family. Moved to live at the agoge (meaning rearing) which was their new boarding school. They lived in barracks with other boys. The headmaster was called the paidonomos and was a fierce, respected ex‐warrior. Most staff were ex‐pupils who had done very well and were called eirens – each led a platoon of boys – they would punish them fiercely at any opportunity. Aim = develop physical strength and obedience = ready for military service and to act as a unit NOT as an individual. ONE VIEW FOR ALL PUPILS. o Taught basic literacy and numeracy – enough to read orders etc. NOT taught literature or philosophy (as in Athens) = would teach them to think for themselves! LOTS of competition – choral contests, sporting contests and fighting – competition key = BE THE BEST! LOTS of military marches, sports etc to toughen them up. LOTS of fighting one another and practising military drills. Music also taught – used to convey orders in battle, through trumpets etc. Agoge 14‐18 
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Aged 14 pupils had to go barefoot – toughen them up – running, climbing etc. Only allowed one cloak for the year – naked in majority of situations – to toughen up and get them used to cold etc = not allowed baths or proper washes unless a special festival. Pupils hair cut VERY short. Had to build beds from reeds from the river Eurotas – tough and a key skill for when out campaigning. Amount of food was cut down – boys expected to steal food to get enough food. They were punished if caught BUT not for stealing, for being caught! Boys took an older lover (bisexuality was expected) – helped mentor the young man, introduce into society, educate etc. Aged 18‐19 
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Lycurgus had been worried that youths in their late teens could be a problem, so they had very strict rules. Even more training, kept busy etc. Respect for elders key – not allowed to make eye contact, had to stare at the ground when an elder walked past and hands had to be kept inside the cloak. The Krypteia 
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The best students from the agoge were selected to take part in a kind of secret police. Once a year the Spartan state declared war on the Helots – with the strongest, most intelligent and any potential leaders being killed. Young men taking part would leave the city and hide in the countryside. Hiding /stealing food/ sleeping during the day and at night killing helots identified as a problem. EVEN more toughening up = killing as part of live, key for a soldier. Black Broth In youth and adult life a key feature of food on military campaign was Black Broth‐ a HORRIBLE meal! Made from pork cooked in its own blood, mixed with vinegar and salt. It was said to be so horrible on visitor to Sparta said after trying the food “Now I know why the Spartans have no fear of death”. Male Adult Life – Citizens Sparta All male citizens were expected to be full time soldiers – doing NO other profession – they were professional soldiers, this was different to all other Greek cities, whose soldiers were only soldiers when needed. Aged 20‐30 
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Spartiates were called eirens until the age of 30. They had to live in barracks with other spartiates. Banned from the market place and not allowed to do any shopping ‐ they were STILL Being controlled! Competition still part of life – the 300 best soldiers were selected to be the King’s bodyguard, which was a huge honour. Marriage happened usually in the late 20s and it was seen as JUST as important to produce healthy babies as fighting. They were not allowed to move in with their wife until they were 30. If you didn’t marry you were punished – made to walk through the market naked in winter and have songs (abusive) sung about you. The syssition 
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At the age of 20, a Spartan had to apply to join a syssition, which was a mess‐hall/club. Each had around 15 members. They ate together, went to war together, lived together – they were VERY close. To join you had to apply. All members had a vote and were given a ball of bread which they had to drop into an urn (a big jar). If one or more bread balls were squashed the person was not allowed to join. This was a HUG disgrace. Every month a Spartan would have to donate items from his land to the syssition – barley, wine, figs, cheese, fish and a little meat. If you didn’t provide this, you could be kicked out. Age groups mixed = helped break down barriers and increase comradeship. Good friendships = talked, sang, ate and drank together. Could talk politics and about anything CONFIDENTIALLY – what was said in the syssition stayed in the syssition. At each meal the oldest member would say “NOT A WORD GOES THROUGH THIS” while pointing to the door. At the age of 30, Spartan men could move to live with their wife, but most stayed living in the barracks. Aged 30+ 
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Life was supposed to be even tougher at home than when on campaign – keep them ready/used to the military life at all times. Life constantly being taken up with activities; hunting, feasts, athletic competitions, choral contests etc – all designed to help the Spartan in a different way. Life always focussed on helping improve the state – NEVER discussing money and commercial transactions – they were above this. The Spartan Army 
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The Spartan army was the reason that Sparta was so successful/powerful. The Spartans were experts in the use of the phalanx the fighting technique used across ancient Greece. Men arranged in a rectangle 8 rows deep, with the most experienced men at the front. The two units would move slowly towards each other and thrust their spears at each other when they met. When they clashed, the fight became a real pushing battle – you mustn’t lose ground or lose the shape of the phalanx. If a man in the front row was killed, then a man from the row behind would step into his place. Soldiers would hold their shield in their left hand, which partly covered their body AND the body of the man to their left. This overlap created a wall of shields. In their right hand they either used the spear or up close their short sword to stab through the gap. The Spartans were the best soldiers in the Greek world due to several reasons: o They trained constantly so knew exactly what to do and were prepared. o They were professionals fighting part timers. o They used music/trumpets to get key orders across quickly allowing them to change tactics quickly on the battlefield. o The Spartan army was divided up into different levels – at each level the best officers were in charge – orders could be spread effectlvely and quickly – no other Greek army had this. o FEAR! Other Greeks were scared of the Spartans who were seen as almost alien! The Spartans believed it was below them to kill fleeing fugitives – so many chose to run than die in battle! o The Spartans made sure that they didn’t come up against the same enemy too often, so their tactics were not adopted or gotten used to. The Spartan army also consisted of the perioeci and helots. The perioeci sometimes fought in mixed regiments with spartiates but they also acted as craftsmen to repair weapons and armour on campaign. The helots were used to carry baggage, as runners and slaves. Always paranoid of a helot uprising, the Spartans carried their spears with them in camp and carefully guarded the weapon store! Weapons and Equipment 
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A Spartan warrior would wear a tunic over which they would wear a bronze or leather breastplate. They would wear a bright red cape which was to hide any blood AND would identify them as a Spartan warrior. They wore greaves to protect their legs, which are a little like shin pads. They also wore leather boots to give them more protection. They word a helmet with a bright red plume on top – this protected the head well BUT limited hearing and vision. Veterans grew their hair long, to show their experience in battle – making them more frightening. Three main weapons: o Spear – used from a distance, three metres in length. o Sword – if they lost the spear or were up close with the enemy this was used as a stabbing weapon. o Shield – not only for protection but it could be used to bash the enemy. Always painted with a capital L, standing for Lacedaemonia, which is another word for Sparta. Famously saved Greece at the battle of Thermopylae. THEY DIDN’T FIGHT NAKED AS THE FILM 300 WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE! THEY WERE ACTUALLY QUITE HEAVILY ARMOURED! Athens 
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An Athenian man was expected to act as head of the house when an adult – the Kyrios. His duties included o ensuring his wife was running the domestic affairs properly. o He would look after the family finances. o Ensure his son’s education was progressing (talking to the paidogogos) and teach him a trade. o Buy slaves from the slave market. o Represent the family at public events such as weddings, funerals and festivals. o Organise symposium for friends and colleagues. o Act as a role model for the family. Politics 
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Every male citizen could be involved in political life BUT the richer you were, the more time you could devote and focus on politics. Even though everyone was technically equal it seems (according to Xenophon) that the rich looked down on those that had to work hard. So if poor, a man would spend the day working in a trade BUT if rich they would spend their day focussing on politics with other wealthy Athenians, at the Agora, Gymnasium or law courts. Farming 
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Large numbers of Athenians were farmers who had land just outside the city. Olives were the main crop grown but fruits such as grapes (for wine), apples, figs and pears were common. Others grew crops such as barley, rye or wheat. Some reared animals such as cattle, sheep or goats. Bee keeping was important as honey was the main way to sweeten food and drinks. The land around Athens was good and bad for farming. Lots of sun and closeness to the city/harbour meant trading was easy. BUT drought and poor soil near the mountains meant it was tough. Actually evidence suggests lots of food was imported into Athens during the 5th Century BC. Craft & Trade 
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Most Athenians were involved in a wide range of crafts/trade in the 5th Century BC BUT not in factories, but small workshops. Evidence in writing and on pottery suggests a hige range of crafts including: bronze‐working, pottery, tanners (leather making), shoe makers, shield makers… Most workshops small – the famous orator Demosthenes father owned a knife workshop with 32 craftsmen and a carpenters with 20 craftsmen. The main trading centre in Athens was the Agora – where trading took place. The main area where there were workshops was an area to the north of the city was called kerameikos, which was the main centre of pottery. Athens was most famous for its pottery which was sold across the Greek world – it was used for storing/serving food and drink BUT also as status symbols, as decoration. Specially and beautifully decorated pots were offered to the Gods, as presents at weddings or even as prizes in competitions. The Symposium A key part of being a respected Athenian citizen was hosting a symposium – which means drinking together. This is when an Athenian would invited friends and colleagues to a kind of dinner party. If you held a good symposium, you were treated better and viewed better. Before the evening… 
Invitations were sent out – usually small limestone statues showing people at a feast or walking. 
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Decorations were made by the women in the home to decorate the Andron – the room where it was held. The kyrios would hire a professional chef – the better the chef the better reputation you would have as a host. The man would also have to order wine for the evening – again the more money you spent the higher reputation the evening would have. Entertainment had to be hired in – this could take the form of musicians, dancers or acrobats. Arrival & Dinner 
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When guests arrived they were shown to their couches in the andron – there were usually between 7 – 11 couches. 2 people could rest on each couch leaning on cushions on their left elbows – eating with their right arm. A meal was served first of all brought in by slaves and usually laid out on 3 tables. Usually you would eat three courses; o Starter – olives,dates or something like onions specially prepared. o Main Couse – a fancy dish of meat or fish o Dessert – a mix of sweet fruit, honey and pastry. Drinking 
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After dinner the tables were removed and the floor swept by slaves. A libation (offering) and a hymn was sung to the Gods, and a toast of wine to the Gods. One member of the group was elected symposiarch and was in charge of the wine – they selected first how strong the wine would be – most common was 5 parts water and 2 parts wine. This was mixed in a big bowl called a krater – around 18‐35 litres in size. The next job was to decide how many kraters needed to be mixed – 3 was typical. The symposiarch had to decide how many toasts and how big the drinking cups should be – the aim was not wild drunkenness, but merriment! Entertainment started when the drinking began – entertainers would amuse the guests. Guests were ALSO expected to entertain each other; they were expected to sign or dance, tell stories or play games. Special drinking songs called skolia were specially written for symposia. A game played was kottabos – when you had finished almost all the wine from your cup you were supposed to flick the last of the wine at a target or a heated cauldron that would hiss when the wine hit the metal. Poetry, music and philosophical discussions were a key feature – with guests showing their ability to talk. Hetairai were women who sometimes attended symposia – they were intelligent, able to have philosophical conversations, play music but were also a kind of high class prostitute. They were never Athenian women; either foreigners or slaves BUT the best could earn a lot of money. Women Athens Childhood 
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A baby girl was usually seen as a disappointment – they didn’t carry on the family, but were married off with an expensive dowry! Baby girls were more likely to be abandoned and exposed to die than boys. Girls would be given smaller portions of food than brothers – showing their importance. Girls were NOT sent to school and was educated by her mother – weaving, spinning, cooking and managing the household. Sometimes helped looked after younger children for future experience. Athenian women were mainly confined to the home BUT could play a public role in religious festivals. Usually in festivals linked to women’s lives. o Artemis – goddess of childbirth o Aphrodite – goddess of sexuality o Athena – goddess of weaving and spinning. Marriage 
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Girls were arranged to be marriage as soon as they hit puberty, around the age of 14. Arranged between the kyrioi (male heads) of the two families – women had no involvement or say – many couples didn’t event meet until the wedding day! The husband was often twice the age of the bride. A terrifiying event for a bride: o Leaving her family to live with strangers o Sometimes had to move a great distance away Sometimes seen as a time of sadness! 4 stages of the wedding Stage 1 – The Betrothal – engue 
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Can happen years before the girl reaches puberty. Bride often wasn’t even present at the ceremony! The word engue means pledge or security – women were treated like a piece of property. The vow went as follows: “I give you this woman for the ploughing of legitimate children” “I agree” “I agree to provide the dowry of…..*amount of money here*” “I accept that too with pleasure” The men shook hands with witnesses present as insurance that the agreement had been made. Stage 2 ‐ The Dowry 
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Usually around 5‐20% of a kyrios wealth, it was protection as even though it belonged to the husband IF he divorced her he had to give back the dowry. If a husband died then the dowry was not given to the wife but to her sons. If there were no sons, then the money went back to her family. If a man died and left a daughter she inherited the wealth and property BUT then had to be married to his closest available male relative of the deceased – keeping the money in the family. Stage 3 ‐ The Ceremony Took three days with three parts: 
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Proaulia The Gamos The epaulia 
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Proaulia – making of sacrifices to the gods. Artemis – the virgin goddess. A lock of her hair, her childhood toys would be given to the goddess to show she was leaving childhood and becoming a woman. The day before the main marriage. Artemis was also protector of women in childbirth, so important to keep her happy! The Gamos – bride has a ritual bath in holy water – to make her more fertile. The bride is dressed in the most expensive clothing the family can afford, jewels, fancy hair etc. She also word a veil, to represent her virginity. This was worm until the ceremony was over. When the bride was dressed and ready there was a feast in her fathers house for both families BUT men and women sat at different tables. Entertainment took place – dancers, musicians etc. This was the only public (non‐religious) social occasion where male and female citizens mixed. The Procession ‐ most important part of the day from the bride’s family home to her husband’s family home. Bride was symbolically dragged from her mother and placed in a cart. She sat between the groom and the best man. The procession was loud, people shouting and singing. The bride’s mother walked behind with a torch. When the cart arrived the bride was welcomed by her husband’s mother. The axle of the cart was burned to show that she could not return to her old life. The bride and groom were showered with gifts to repsrenent fertility – dates, coins, figs and dried fruits. On the night of the wedding the bride would lose her virginity while friends and family sang outside the bedroom. The next morning she would be given presents by her husbands family – probably to make her feel welcome and take away the terror from the previous day/night. Adult Married Life – Kyria 
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A married women immediately was known as the kyria, the leading woman in the family. She carried a bunch of keys to show her control over the stores of the house and show she was in charge of the running of the home. A key role for the kyria was organising the spinning and weaving of cloth – this was needed to make clothes, sheets, decoration etc as it was VERY expensive to buy. All this took place in the gynaikon. This was very time consuming. Wool or flax was provided to start with, which was washed and prepared. Next it was spun into wool with a distaff and spindle. This could then be dyed. Finally (when there was enough wool) it would be woven together on a loom. This process was LONG and time consuming BUT a very important part of a woman’s life. Women were expected to produce babies BUT childbirth was dangerous o Healthcare was very basic – no anaesthetic during labour. o Infection was far more common o Miscarriage and death during pregnancy were common dangers. Rights? 
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Women were in charge of the home BUT that was pretty much it! Legally the property of their husband they had to do as they were told. Discouraged from leaving the house AND if they did they had to leave with a male relative and vases suggest they had to cover their faces. Women not allowed to buy or sell land. Women banned from buying anything more valuable than enough barley to support a family for 6 days. Poorer women would have moved around more freely – they had fewer or no slaves, so this was out of practicality. These poorer women would have had to have worked as well – they were looked down on by the rest of society. Sparta Childhood 
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Girls in Sparta were treated VERY differently to the rest of Greece – the law said that girls MUST be given the same amount of food etc as boys – showing the recognition of their importance. Girls were taught by their mothers and possibly helot slaves to read and write – this was important to help them to run their family estates when they were older – a key role for a Spartan woman. Girls also probably had some kind of public physical education – they were expected to be fit and healthy – the key duty of Spartan women was to have healthy children. Across Greece men exercised naked – in Sparta women ALSO did! To the rest of Greece this seemed like madness! This was a VERY different set up to the rest of Greece, where women were often not even able to leave the house without layers of clothing and a male relative. Marriage 
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Women were not forced to marry as soon as they hit puberty – showing a better treatment. The ceremony – hair shaved short and dressed as a man – this was probably to make the expected lovemaking more usual to the man (who had from his teens had male lovers). The groom would eat his usual meal in his syssition and then go to the bride, have sex, then return to the syssition. This strange practise was supposed to keep an attraction/magic between the couple to ensure lots of children in the future. Marriage was not exclusive! Spartan men were encouraged to sleep (when permission given) with the wives of their comrades to breed more children! AGAIN very different to anywhere else in Greece! Adult Life 
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Spartan women did not carry out housework, weaving, spinning etc like Athenian women – these were tasks considered beneath Spartan women. This was the work for Helot slaves. The Spartan wife managed the whole estate – the finances, the overview of the farming of the land etc. She would have complete control over the helots, over equipment, sale of excess crops, decisions on crops. Spartan women could also inherit property and wealth themselves (if they had no brothers) – again very different to the rest of Greece. Women helped their sons to grow from the earliest years that their role was to fight and die for Sparta – women handed sons to the state aged 7 and seem to have been fanatical supporters of the system! The famous phrase “come back with your shield or ON your shield” shows the attitude of Spartan women – the state was more important than the children. The rest of Greece looked on in horror/fascination – nicknaming them tight flashers – due to the short tunic women wore to exercise sometimes with cuts along the side to help them run.