ancient greece
TRANSCRIPT
Family Life
• Husband headed the house hold and was responsible for its members.
• Wife ran the house hold and raised the children.
• The women spun thread and wove cloth even if they were wealthy.
• The parents usually arranged their child’s wedding.
Education
• Very few girls attended school.
• Some girls learned to read and write in their household.
• Each city-state differed in the education.
• Most boys, and some girls, started their education at age seven.
Food
• Greek diet based on such grains as wheat and barley which were used to make bread, cakes, and porridge. Greeks also ate a variety of fruits and vegetables. Sources of protein were eggs, poultry, and fish. The Greeks used a lot of olive oil and honey to sweeten their food. After animal sacrifices they enjoyed roasted pork, beef, lamb, and goat.
Clothes
• The Greeks wore belted garments of linen or
wool. Men’s garments hung down to the knees,
while the women’s garments usually fell to
the ankles. If it was cold , the Greeks would drape
cloaks over the shoulders and arms. They also wore
sandals.
The Greek Government
• When city-states were first formed, they were ruled by a few wealthy men.
• However, these city-states started moving to a democracy.
• Democracy means rule by the people, and in it people vote on who they want their leaders to be.
Trade
• Merchants sold surplus goods abroad in exchange for slaves and products such as grain, timber, and metal.
• Greece mainly traded with Egypt, Sicily, and Scythia.
Economy and Currency
• Economy• Economy of ancient
Greece was characterized by the extreme importance of importing goods.
• Currency• Coinage probably began
in Lydia around 600 BC and arrived in mainland Greece around 550 BC
• The very first coins were made from electrum (an alloy of gold and silver) followed by coins of pure silver
Taxation
• Taxation was not well developed in ancient Greece.
• The eisphora was a tax on the very wealthy and was only used in times of need such as war.
• Taxes were also used to help build public works.