Download Athens Geography

SWBAT Research and take notes on the Geography, Economy, Politics and Social Structure of Athens
Athens Research Material
Name: ____________________________
Date: _____________
Athens Geography
Hour: _____
SWBAT Research and take notes on the Geography, Economy, Politics and Social Structure of Athens
Athens Research Material
Name: ____________________________
Date: _____________
Hour: _____
Geography and Population
Approximately 140,000 people lived in the Polis of Athens. Approximately 40,000 men were citizens;
and about 40,000 people were slaves. By 432 BC, Athens had become the most populous city-state in Greece.
Due to its prestigious reputation Athens was also home to approximately 50,000 resident aliens, or people who
moved there from other Polis. These aliens were not considered citizens.
Government
Athens is known as the “birth place of democracy”, as they were the first society in the world to give
power to the people through voting. Athens is classified more specifically as a direct democracy because
everyone, not just politicians could attend the voting Assembly.
In Athens there were elected officials which included 10 strategos (military generals) and magistrates
(career politicians). In addition there was a Council of 500 whose job was to administer and carry out any
decision made by the Assembly. The Council of 500 would change every year. Each day the Council of 500
would meet and run the day-to-day business of the city and suggest new laws.
Proposed laws had to be approved by a much larger group, the Assembly. The Assembly met on a hill
every 10 days. At least 6,000 citizens had to be present for a meeting to take place. If not enough people showed
up, slaves would round up more citizens with ropes dipped in red paint. Men were embarrassed to show up to
the meeting with their robes stained with red marks. The Assembly debated and voted on laws proposed by the
Council of 500. Every citizen had the right to speak at the Assembly.
Athens granted citizenship only to free men, who were over the age of 18. Citizens also had to be born
in Athens. Women and slaves were not considered citizens.
Economy
An economy is the way a community organizes the manufacture and exchange of money, food, products
and services. The Athenian economy was based on trade. The land around Athens did not provide enough food
for the population. But Athens was near the sea, so Athens traded by ship with other city-states for necessary
products.
Athenians bought and sold goods at a huge marketplace known as an agora. There, merchants sold their
goods from small stands. Like most city-states, Athens developed its own coins to make trade easier.
Education
Schools taught reading, writing and mathematics, music, poetry, sport and gymnastics to boys. Based
upon their birth and the wealth of their parents, the length of education was from the age of 5 to 14, for the
wealthier 5 – 18 years old. Finally, boys who were citizens entered a military training camp for two years, until
SWBAT Research and take notes on the Geography, Economy, Politics and Social Structure of Athens
Athens Research Material
Name: ____________________________
Date: _____________
Hour: _____
the age of twenty. Foreign metics and slaves were not expected to attain anything but a basic education in
Greece, but were not excluded from it either.
Girls received little formal education (except perhaps in the aristocrats' homes through tutors); they were
generally kept at home and had no political power in Athens. The education of a girl involved spinning,
weaving, and cooking.
Role of Women and Slaves
Athenian women and girls were kept at home with no participation in sports or politics. Wives were
considered property of their husbands. Some women held high posts in the ritual events and religious life of
Athens (where the goddess Athena was the patron).
There were many slaves in ancient Athens. Most people who weren’t poor owned at least one slave. Some slaves
were born into slavery, while others were captured in wars. Slaves performed a wide array of jobs in Athens including
tutors, farmers, factory workers, and merchants.
Social Structure
Aristocrats
CITIZENS
Owned large houses and
led the military
Farmers
Thetes
Craftsman and military
servicemen
Metics
Resident aliens who owned businesses
Slaves
Politics and Warfare
Athens was a member of the Delian League which was a loose organization of Poliseis in Greece. Athens was
the most powerful member, and would tax other city-states in exchange for protection. Athens was the most
feared navy on the oceans.
Cultural Achievements and Other
Ancient Athenians made many advances in art, architecture, drama and literature, philosophy, science,
and medicine. They were also the first to have citizens sit on juries. Athenians enjoyed luxuries and foods from
all over their empire. Wealthy Athenian homes were quite nice with an inner courtyard.