Ancient Greece: Society, Culture, and Daily Life
Pyramus and Thisbe
Pyramus and Thisbe were two lovers who could not be together because their families did not accept this relationship. A wall separated them, but it had a crack, and they looked through it. One day, tired of being apart, they arranged to meet at a designated place.
Thisbe arrived first.
The Three Classes of Sparta
- Spartans
- Perioeci
- Helots
Rights and Obligations of Each Spartan Class
- Spartans: Full political and civil rights. They dedicated themselves to the army and spent most of their time in military training.
- Perioeci: Could own land, paid taxes, and fought in wars.
- Helots: No rights.
Conditions to be a Spartan
One had to be the child of a Spartan and belong to the syssitia (common meals).
Who Were the Helots?
They were slaves, often defeated in war, who lacked rights. They lived in the fields, cultivated the land, and served in wars.
Differences Between Citizens and Metics in Athens
- Citizens: Participated in public activities and bore the associated expenses.
- Metics: Paid taxes and served in the army.
Marriage in Ancient Greece
- The father arranged the marriage.
- A feast of promise was held, during which the dowry was set.
- The wedding was witnessed by guests.
- The husband could divorce without giving explanations.
The Greek Word for Wedding
The Greek word for wedding is “gamos”. The Spanish word “boda” (wedding) is derived from this Greek word.
A Greek Woman’s Independence in Choosing a Husband
- A woman could not choose her husband.
- A mistreated woman could submit a formal complaint, which, if accepted, could lead to the dissolution of the marriage.
Education in Greece: Athens and Sparta
- Athens: Girls did not attend school. They learned from their mothers, grandmothers, or slaves. Boys up to 7 years old were cared for by their mothers and nurses and were taught traditional legends. After 7 years, they went to school, accompanied by a servant who acted as a teacher. In school, they learned to read and write, reading aloud the Iliad, the Odyssey, etc. They wrote on tablets.
- Sparta: Women had a life of their own. They went to school and played sports with boys. Children from 7 years old were enlisted in pre-military formations. The basis of their education was to learn to obey, endure fatigue without complaining, and win in combat, i.e., exercise and training for war.
The Beginning of Trade in Greece
The roads were in poor condition, so trade was mostly conducted by sea. The most famous port was Piraeus.
The First Greek Currency and its Name
At first, the currency was the ox. Later, it was pig iron, and finally, coins. The drachma’s name derives from two oboli, iron needles used to skewer pieces of meat from sacrificial victims.
Aristotle’s Justification of Slavery
Aristotle considered the slave an indispensable instrument, a working animal, mainly due to the limited development of technology at the time.
Main Products Traded in Greece
Silver, lead, marble, wine, pottery, oil, etc.
The End of the Ancient Olympic Games
The ancient Olympic Games ended in 393 AD. The Emperor Theodosius abolished them.