Athenian Social Structure: Citizens, Metics, and Slaves
Unit 5: Social Groups: Free and Unfree
Social Classes in Athens
There were three main groups in Athenian society:
- Citizens
- Metics
- Slaves
Citizens
Citizens were born in Athens (Athenians). They possessed all political rights and obligations—political, economic, and social. The most important decisions concerned this group. The worst consequences they could face were being deprived of their civil rights or being exiled from Athens. Citizens were dedicated to managing and administering the city.
Metics
A Metics was a Greek person who was not Athenian but lived permanently in Athens. They engaged in trade and industry, making them the real engine of the Athenian economy. They could marry an Athenian, but their children were not citizens.
Slaves
Athens had many slaves who performed many tasks now performed by paid workers. A slave was without any legal rights and was owned by a dueño (owner).
There were two types of slaves:
- Public: Their owner was the Athenian state. They were responsible for tasks such as working in jails or as sweepers.
- Private: The owner was a private citizen. They could be sold or rented. Private slaves were further distinguished into two types:
- Hereditary (ex officio): Children born of slaves.
- Purchased: Those bought in a market.
The average Athenian owned about 10 slaves; the wealthy could have up to 50, while the poor owned none.
Theme 6: The Status of Women
The Greeks had a patriarchal family structure where women were placed well below men. They had no rights and could not participate in politics. Their social function was having and caring for children.
Marriage and Education
Women entered marriage through an arrangement made by their father. They typically married around 15 years old, and until then, they trained with their mother for domestic work after marriage. The education they received was very different from the path taken by men.
Marriage was a compromise settled between the groom and the bride’s father. After the agreement, a dowry was delivered along with the bride. The day before the wedding, the bride dedicated her toys to the gods, and then received a purification bath. On the wedding day, a sacrifice and a banquet were held. The bride was veiled and separated from her husband until she received gifts and removed her veil. In the evening, a procession accompanied the newlyweds to the husband’s house. Upon arrival, the groom received the bride, offered her a cake, and threw figs and nuts over her.
Married Life
In married life, the wife still lived largely without leaving home, rarely going out, except perhaps to attend certain festivals. She had her own rooms. She raised children by her side, keeping the girls with her while the boys attended school and gymnasium with their fathers. When giving birth, she was surrounded by servants and accompanied by a midwife.
Divorce
Divorce was common in this era. If it occurred, the husband had to return the dowry. The husband could divorce his wife whenever he wished, but if the wife wished to divorce, she had to apply to the archon, showing reasons for the separation. Divorce did not require the agreement of both parties; even her father could separate her to marry another. Divorce could occur due to:
- The repudiation by her husband.
- The wife leaving the marital bed.
- The interruption of the marriage by the decision of the bride’s father.
Other Women
Other categories of women included:
- Mistress: A stable lover who could reside in the house; fidelity was demanded.
- Hetaera: These women were educated to accompany men and were more intellectually prepared than other women.
- Prostitute: These could be found on the street or in temples.