The Daily Life of Ancient Greeks

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The Daily Life of Ancient Greeks Life in Greece in ancient times would remind you of your own life in many ways. There was school, family, athletic competition, and social gatherings. Knowing that participants in their sporting events competed nude or that you rarely knew your husband/wife until the wedding day does however, make you grateful for the society that you live in today. Babies Life for the Greeks in Athens began in their home. Babies were delivered by the women of the family, and only in cases of serious complications was a mid-wife called. Large families were not desired by Athenians since the inheritance was to be divided up equally among sons and daughters requiring dowries. So, unwanted children were not uncommon. Killing the babies was illegal, but a new-born could be exposed to die. These unwanted babies were left outside in a clay pot either to be claimed by a childless woman or rescued and brought up as a slave (Connolly, 32). Slaves were common in ancient times, if a family was reasonably well off they usually had two or three slaves. Slaves would take on the tasks of motherhood, some would even breast feed the babies. The slaves also worked the fields and helped the mother with other household duties, such as making clothes (The Study of Women, online). Education Boys would begin school at age seven. They were also given a paidagogos, a slave that accompanied them everywhere. The paidagogos taught the boy manners, punished him when he did wrong, and even sat through classes with the boy to make sure he did his work. School went from half an hour after daybreak to half an hour before the sun set. Physical education was a big part of a boys education (Connolly, 34). When boys were 18, they no longer went to school; instead they began their 2 year military training. Young girls did not go to school. Middle and upper class girls leaned to read and write from a female tutor at home (Connolly, 35). Girls generally stayed at home until they were married, which was around the age of 15 (Ancient Civilizations, online). They helped their mother in the house and worked in the fields when they were needed (Exploring Ancient, online). Marriage Marriages were arranged. Because girls lived such sheltered lives, they usually had never even met the men their fathers agreed for them to marry. Men were mostly in their twenties when they got married, the girls were usually 15.

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