Ancient Greece report: Growing up in the city states of Athens and Sparta
Despite the fact that they shared the same heritage and language, ancient Spartans and ancient Athenians were very different, and the two city-states were not on the friendliest of terms, greekreporter.com notes in the following article:
The Spartans were warriors, disciplined and strong, and always eager to die for their homeland. Hence the word “spartan” we use today, meaning someone who lives an austere life, indifferent to pleasures and luxuries.
Athenians, on the contrary, were educated and those who were not soldiers were philosophers, politicians, writers of tragedies and comedies, musicians, and sculptors.
Life in Ancient Sparta was one of simplicity and self-denial. Children were children of the state more than of their parents. They were raised to be soldiers, loyal to the state, strong and self-disciplined.
When a Spartan baby was born, soldiers came to the house and examined it carefully to determine its strength. They bathed the baby in wine rather than water, to see its reaction. If a baby was weak, the Spartans would throw it off a cliff (the Kaiadas) or take it away to become a slave (helot). The city-state decided the fate of children and nurses, who provided their basic care, did not coddle the babies.
A boy would be taken from his mother at the age of 7 and soldiers would put him in a dormitory with other boys to train them to become soldiers. A mother’s softening influence was considered detrimental to boys’ education. The boys went through harsh physical training and deprivation to make them strong. They marched without shoes and went without food. They learned the art of battle, to endure pain and survive through their wits. The older boys willingly took part in beating up the younger boys to make them tough.
Once they turned 20, young Spartan men had to pass a tough test to graduate and become full citizens. Only the soldiers gained the aristocratic citizenship. If they failed their tests they never became citizens but became perioeci, the middle class.
If the young men passed, they continued to live in the barracks and train as soldiers and were also required to marry to give birth to new Spartans. The state gave them a piece of land which was farmed by slaves. The income supported them as full-time soldiers. At the age of 30, they were allowed to live with their families but continued to train until the age of 60 when they retired from military service.
Girls were also taken from their home at 7 and sent to school. Here they learned wrestling, gymnastics, and fighting. Spartans believed that strong mothers gave birth to strong children. The women also had to pass the citizen tests at 18-20. If they did so successfully, they were assigned a husband. To prepare for the wedding night, their hair was cut short and they were dressed in male clothing. The man then returned to his all-male barracks. Men and women did not live together but met occasionally for procreation.
Since they were living alone most of the time, Spartan women enjoyed a much greater freedom and independence than women in other Greek city-states. They were permitted to walk around in the city and transact their own affairs.
Upbringing and life in Ancient Athens
In Athens, girls and boys were brought up differently. While boys went off to school at age 7, young girls continued to stay at home until they were married. Girls were not formally educated, but some mothers did teach their daughters to read and write. Others learned to dance or play an instrument, although a good family did not consider musical instruments to be proper for girls. A young girl was to help her mother in the home. Also, if asked to help, she was required to work in the fields.
Instructing a young girl on her future role as a mother was very significant. All girls learned domestic jobs such as weaving, working with textiles, taking care of children, embroidering, and cooking. Girls were able to attend festivals, funerals and sometimes visit neighbors.
Girls in ancient Athens were ready to marry after reaching puberty, at 12 or 13. Traditionally they would marry by 14 or 15 and then would live in their husband’s home. Once married, she would mostly live at home, interacting solely with the household.
The boys of ancient Athens went to schools at 7. They did their work on waxed-covered tablets and a stylus. Subjects were similar to those taught today — like math including fractions, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. They learned the words of Homer and how to read and write, and they had music instruction that usually included learning to play the lyre. Physical education and sports included the use of the bow and arrow and the sling, while competitions in wrestling and swimming were also included. The more wealthy learned to ride horses.
By age 14, boys were promoted to another school for their teenage years. By age 18, all boys were expected to attend military school from which they graduated at 20. From the age of 30 and on they could take part in politics. It was also around this age that they usually married.
Men were the only people considered citizens, so they did the most around the city. Men went to the market, met with friends to discuss politics, and went to temples to worship. Men did all the shopping and doings outside of the house.
Athenian men had a special room in the house just for themselves. This room was for lounging around and entertaining male guests, no women except for slaves and entertainers were permitted inside the room.
Contrary to Spartan men, educated, well-to-do Athenians were very much interested in the arts, philosophy, and aesthetics. Architectural masterpieces like the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, or the statues of Praxiteles and Phidias, stand as evidence that Athenian men were more cultivated than their Spartan counterparts.
Read more at greekreporter.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Philipp Foltz License: CC-BY-SA pixabay.com
04/05 17:56
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
04/05 17:44
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
03/05 18:00
03/05 17:42
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
03/05 17:39
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
01/05 11:45
Euro 2004 Legends play FootGolf at Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour
30/04 22:36
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
30/04 20:44
Hellenic Police launches 10201, a 24-hour hotline for protection of minors in Greece
30/04 19:42
Aegean Airlines to distribute dividend for the first time after four years
30/04 18:39
May Day strikes in Greece: Public transportation disruptions and Syntagma Metro station closure
30/04 18:31
Bank of Greece report: More than 30 million tourists visit the country during 2023
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
May Day strikes in Greece: Public transportation disruptions and Syntagma Metro station closure
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
Hellenic Police launches 10201, a 24-hour hotline for protection of minors in Greece
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
Aegean Airlines to distribute dividend for the first time after four years
Euro 2004 Legends play FootGolf at Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
French defense company signs deals in Athens with Greek electronics and drones firms
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Minister of National Economy: The environment in Greece is friendly for investments
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
Greek Foreign Minister meets Hungarian counterpart in Athens
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time