Life In Classical Athens

The city-state of Athens consisted of the peninsula of Attica, with the city of Athens as its capital. During the Golden Age the city-state ruled an empire that stretched from Attica completely around the rim of the Aegean Sea. Colonies of Athenian citizens were maintained in subject territories.

Free men of Attic parentage were automatically Athenian citizens. For administrative purposes, each citizen was assigned to a territorial unit called a deme. Several demoi made up a phyle (tribe); Athens had 10 phylai. Excluded from citizenship were women, aliens, and slaves. It is estimated that in the mid-fifth century the population of Attica was more than 300,000, of whom only about 40,000 were citizens. Probably a third of the population consisted of slaves, taken as captives in war or bought from slave dealers. Few slaves were Greeks. Also, alien free men, both Greek and foreign, may have equaled the citizens in number.

The government of Periclean Athens was more democratic than any ever known before in the world. Athens' legislative body was the Ecclesia (Assembly), which consisted of the entire body of citizens. The chief executive body was composed of 10 strategoi (generals) elected annually by the Assembly and eligible for reelection. A forceful general, such as Pericles, could assume the powers of commander in chief and act as chief executive as long as he was reelected. The Council of Five Hundred was made up of 50 men from each phyle, chosen annually by lot. The Council proposed legislation to the Assembly, which voted on it.

The judicial system was headed by nine archons (high magistrates) chosen annually by lot. They presided over jury courts for which a panel of 6,000 jurors was drawn each year, several hundred serving each day. Former archons formed the Aeropagus, at one time the highest court but restricted in the fifth century mainly to homicide cases. Under Pericles the lower classes became eligible for public offices formerly held only by the upper classes, and jurors and other officials began for the first time to receive salaries.

Athens lived by commerce, trading olive oil and wine for much-needed grain. Other products included silver, from the mines at Mount Laurium, marble, and pottery. Although businesses and industries might be owned by citizens, they were operated almost entirely by aliens, with slave labor. Athenians considered any occupation other than agriculture and military service to be degrading. Lower-class citizens farmed; upper-class men spent most of their time at the Agora, in discussion and in running the government.

Women of the upper classes lived rather secluded lives, in charge of their households. Most of the work, however, was performed by slaves. Women received no education other than training in domestic matters; this training they passed on to their daughters.

Citizens' sons were sent to school from age 6 to 14 or older. The schools, all privately run, emphasized poetry, music, and physical fitness. Wealthy students received higher education in oratory, philosophy (which included science), and history. Young men were also given military training.

The Athenians lived in a rather austere fashion. Homes were plain and sparsely furnished. Clothing consisted of two woolen garments, a tunic and a mantle. Food was carefully prepared, but simple, and the diet contained little meat. A favorite recreation for men was the banquet. Popular forms of public entertainment were festivals, athletic games, and the theater. The Panathenaic Festival, held annually in Athens, featured competitions in musical performances, poetry readings, and athletic events, as well as religious ceremonies.