Ancient Athens: Government, society, education

Ancient Athens: Government, society, education

1. Location

   • Lies in between two rivers
   • Three walls joining Athens with the coast and the sea
     • Gave them access to the coast and harbour
   • Athens lay in an area called Attica

2. Population of Athens

   • Approx. 140,00 people
     • Most lived in the country side
   • Social Hierarchy
     • Women at the bottom of every class
     • Slaves
       • Lowest class, non-athenians, born into slavery/captured
     • Metics
       • Non Athenians, sponsored by citizens
         • Wealthy or Poor
     • Freedmans
       • Athenians, worked for themselves
       • Masters of slaves

3. Government

   • Democracy
     • A system of government
       • Political power with the people
     • Athens is the birthplace of democracy
   • Citizen
     • An Athenian
       • Loyal to the government
         • Protected by the government
   • Levels of Government
     • Boule
       • 500 Athenian citizens
         • Anyone selected by lot
       • Met everyday
       • Prepared matters to be discussed
     • Ecclesia (assembly)
       • Every citizen >18
       • Met 4 times every 36 days
         • Voted for ideas from the boule
     • Law Courts
       • Every citizen had right to be on jury
   • Excluded women, metics and slaves

4. Women

   • Few rights
   • Domestic
     • Stayed at the home
     • Taught chores at school
       • Cooked, cleaned, children etc
   • Men
     • Inferior and invisible
     • Owned by men their whole lives
     • Father decided on man to marry

5. Education

   • Academic central of Greece
     • Age
       • Birth - age of 20
       • Went to school at age 7
         • School wasn't compulsory
           • Private schooling
     • 3 basic courses
       • Grammata
         • Academics
       • Music
       • Physical Education