Life in Ancient Greece

1. Life in Ancient Greece Greek Theatre

2. Life in Ancient Sparta • Located in Southern Greece • Spartans conquered many people. • Made them slaves called Helots • To control conquered people they set up a brutal system of government

3. Military State • Helots outnumbered the Spartans • Spartans created a Military State to keep them in line • Babies that were born were examined by Spartan Soldiers • If unhealthy it was taken as a slave or left on a hillside to die

4. Boys • Boys left parents at age 7 to begin Military Training • Lasted 13 years • Lived in Barracks • Punishment for disobedience was to be whipped in front of their parents • Taught Athletics and Academics • At Age 20 they became Soldiers

5. Men • Also lived in Barracks • Men remained in Military service, even if they were married. They did not live with their wives • At Age 30 they were allowed to live with their wives • Military service ended at age 60 • Soldiers were given land that was farmed by Helots

6. Girls • Also examined at birth, killed if they were weak. • Went to school at age 7 • Educated in physical training • Taught to live lives dedicated to Sparta • Main life objective was to be strong and produce strong offspring.

7. Women • Required to stay indoors • At age 18 they had to pass a test of physical abilities • Based on performance they were assigned a husband • Tremendous freedom from Husband as in most cases they did not live together

8. Ancient Athens

9. Athenian Beliefs • Located in Attica • Limited Democracy • Evolved from a Monarchy to an Aristocracy • Around 700 BC democratic reforms were instituted • Only males could participate in Government • Only males were allowed to read, write (poetry, plays), participate in military training and be educated.

10. Athenian Girls • Taught basic reading • Taught important household skills • Learned mythology and musical skills • Spent most of the time in their household • Only left for religious ceremonies

11. Athenian Women • Married in their teens • Marriages were arranged • Could not own property • Had limited rights • Not allowed to watch the Olympic Games • Husband had total control – Obedience was expected

12. Athenian Boys • Taught at home until age 7 • Went to school until age 14 • Learned poetry, music, public speaking, reading, writing, math, science and government • At 18 attended Military Academy

13. Athenian Men • Involved in politics, art, music, crafts, agriculture and trade • Knew how to hunt and horseback ride • Public courtesy was very important • Participated in Government and Military

14. Greek Mythology • What is a Myth? • A myth is a traditional story whose author is unknown. It has roots in the primitive folk beliefs of cultures and uses the supernatural to interpret natural events and to explain a cultures view of the universe and the nature of humanity.

15. Greek Gods and Goddesses

16. Olympic Games • Began in 700 B.C in a town called Olympian (South Western Greece) • Were in honour of the Greek God Zeus • Women were not allowed to watch • Men would have worn very little in terms of clothing (probably participated naked) • Games lasted for 5 days • First day of the games was spent sacrificing to the Gods.

17. Games • Boxing • Wrestling • Pankration (Boxing and wrestling combined) • Horse Racing • Pentathalon – Sprinting, javelin, long jump, wrestling, discuss.

18. Plays • Most plays are based on myths or legends • Discussed moral and social issues or explored relationships between men and gods • Two types of plays were written: • Tragedy • Comedy

19. Famous Playwrights Aeschylus - The Oresteia was a series of 3 plays that told of the hideous crimes of murder and revenge of a powerful family. ( 525-456 B.C.)

20. Euripides - The Trojan Woman stripped war of its glamour by showing the suffering of women who were victims of war.

21. Sophocles- Antigone explored what happens when an individual ‘s moral duty conflicts with the laws of the state.