Here are some of my pages of my Greek report
My report on Greece consists of the following: Their daily lives, what they did and had. The two most powerful city-states, Athens and Sparta. Famous Greek Men, including Pericles & Miltiades. Architecture, like the Parthenon. Greek Gods and Godesses. Laws. Timeline. Holidays. Recipes.
Before Rome, Greece was the biggest empire in the entire world. And it's
conquest of the world was very swift indeed.
The fabulous tales of ancient Greek mythology have sparked the interest of
many, for thousands of years, and were the earliest fantasy tales.
The minds of the Greek society are often thought to of been more
developed than ours today. They grasped the science, drama , and
architecture of the age with perfection. Who they were and what they did
should interest us today, seeing how some of their works have transformed
our way of life today.
Greece is the southeastern most region on the European continent. It is defined by a series
of mountains, surrounded on all sides except the north by water, and endowed with
countless large and small islands. The Ionian and Aegean seas and the many deep bays and
natural harbors along the coastlines allowed the Greeks to prosper in maritime commerce
and to develop a culture which drew inspiration from many sources, both foreign and
indigenous. The Greek world eventually spread far beyond Greece itself, encompassing
many settlements around the Mediterranean and Black seas and, during the Hellenistic
period, reaching as far east as India.
The mountains, which served as natural barriers and boundaries, dictated the political
character of Greece. From early times the Greeks lived in independent communities
isolated from one another by the landscape. Later these communities were organized into
Poleis or city-states. The mountains prevented large-scale farming and impelled the
Greeks to look beyond their borders to new lands where fertile soil was more abundant.
Natural resources of gold and silver were available in the mountains of Thrace in northern
Greece and on the island of Siphnos, while silver was mined from Laurion in Attica.
Supplies of iron ores were also available on the mainland and in the Aegean islands.
The Mediterranean Sea moderates Greece’s climate, cooling the air in summer and
providing warmth in the winter months. Summers are generally hot and dry. Winters are
moderate and rainy in coastal regions and cold and snowy in mountainous areas.
GREEK MEN: Men ran the government, and spent a great deal of their time away
from home. When not involved in politics, the men spent time in the fields, overseeing or
working the crops, sailing, hunting, in manufacturing or in trade. For fun, in addition to
drinking parties, the men enjoyed wrestling, horseback riding, and the famous Olympic
Games. When the men entertained their male friends, at the popular drinking parties, their
wives and daughters were not allowed to attend.
GREEK WOMEN: With the exception of ancient Sparta, Greek women had very
limited freedom outside the home. They could attend weddings, funerals, some religious
festivals, and could visit female neighbors for brief periods of time. In their home, Greek
women were in charge! Their job was to run the house and to bear children. Most Greek
women did not do housework themselves. Most Greek households had slaves. Female
slaves cooked, cleaned, and worked in the fields. Male slaves watched the door, to make
sure no one came in when the man of the house was away, except for female neighbors,
and acted as tutors to the young male children. Wives and daughters were not allowed to
watch the Olympic Games as the participants in the games did not wear clothes. Chariot
racing was the only game women could win, and only then if they owned the horse. If that
horse won, they received the prize.
GREEK GIRLS: In Athens, as in most Greek city-states, with the exception of Sparta,
girls stayed at home until they were married. Like their mother, they could attend certain
festivals, funerals, and visit neighbors for brief periods of time. Their job was to help their
mother, and to help in the fields, if necessary.
GREEK BOYS: In most Greek city-states, when young, the boys stayed at home,
helping in the fields, sailing, and fishing. At age 6 or 7, they went to school.
SLAVES: Slaves were very important to ancient Greek daily life. Slaves cleaned and
cooked, worked in the fields, factories, shops, in the mines, and on ships. Even the police
force in ancient Athens was made up of slaves! Most slaves lives were not that different
from a poor Greek citizen's life.
There were things a slave could not do. They could not go to school, or enter politics, or
use their own name. They were given a name by the citizen who owned them. They were
the property of their owner, not citizens of ancient Greece.
People became slaves in many ways. Some people became slaves when captured in battle.
Some were the children of slaves. Some were Greek infants, abandoned on a hill or at the
gates of a town, left to die, or to be rescued by someone passing by. Some children were
sold into slavery by poor families, and some children were kidnapped. Slaves were so
important to the culture of ancient Greece, that some historians believe there were as
many slaves as citizens!
GREEK HOUSES: Greek houses, in the 6th and 5th century BC, were made up of two
or three rooms, built around an open air courtyard, built of stone, wood, or clay bricks.
Larger homes might also have a kitchen, a room for bathing, a men's dining room, and
perhaps a woman's sitting area. Although the Greek women were allowed to leave their
homes for only short periods of time, they could enjoy the open air, in the privacy of their
courtyard. Much of ancient Greek family life centered around the courtyard.
The ancient Greeks loved stories and fables. One favorite family activity was to gather in
the courtyard to hear these stories, told by the mother or father. In their courtyard, Greek
women might relax, chat, and sew. Most meals were enjoyed in the courtyard. Greek
cooking equipment was small and light and could easily be set up there. On bright, sunny
days, the women probably sheltered under a covered area of their courtyard, as the ancient
Greeks believed a pale complexion was a sign of beauty.
FOOD: Along the coastline, the soil was not very fertile, but the ancient Greeks used
systems of irrigation and crop rotation to help solve that problem. They grew olives,
grapes, and figs. They kept goats, for milk and cheese. In the plains, where the soil was
more rich, they also grew wheat to make bread. Fish, seafood, and home-made wine were
very popular food items. In some of the larger Greek city-states, meat could be purchased
in cook shops. Meat was rarely eaten, and was used mostly for religious sacrifices.
CLOTHING: Greek clothing was very simple. Men and women wore linen in the
summer and wool in the winter. The ancient Greeks could buy cloth and clothes in the
agora, the marketplace, but that was expensive.
Most families made their own clothes, which were simple tunics and warm cloaks, made of
linen or wool, dyed a bright color, or bleached white. Clothes were made by the mother,
her daughters, and female slaves. They were often decorated to represent the city-state in
which they lived. The ancient Greeks were very proud of their home city-state. Now and
then, they might buy jewelry from a traveling peddler, hairpins, rings, and earrings, but
only the rich could afford much jewelry. Both men and women in ancient Athens, and in
most of the other city-states, used perfume, made by boiling flowers and herbs.
The first real hat, the broad-brimmed petasos, was invented by the ancient Greeks! It was
worn only for traveling. A chin strap held it on, so when it was not needed, as protection
from the weather, it could hang down ones back.
HAIR STYLES: Both men and women enjoyed using mirrors and hairbrushes. Hair was
curled, arranged in interesting and carefully designed styles, and held in place with scented
waxes and lotions. Women kept their hair long, in braids, arranged on top of their head, or
wore their hair in ponytails. Headbands, made of ribbon or metal, were very popular.
Blond hair was rare. Greek admired the blonde look and many tried bleaching their hair.
Men cut their hair short and, unless they were soldiers, wore beards.
Barber shops first became popular in ancient Greece, and were an important part of the
social life of many ancient Greek males. In the barber shop, the men exchanged political
and sports news, philosophy, and gossip!
DANCE: Dance was very important to the ancient Greeks. They believed that dance
improved both physical and emotional health. Rarely did men and women dance together.
Some dances were danced by men and others by women. There were more than 200
ancient Greek dances; comic dances, warlike dances, dances for athletes and for religious
worship, plus dances for weddings, funerals, and celebrations. Dance was accompanied by
music played on lyres, flutes, and a wide variety of percussion instruments such as
tambourines, cymbals and castanets.
STORIES: The ancient Greeks loved stories. They created many marvelous stories,
myths, and fables that we enjoy today, like "Odysseus and the Terrible Sea" and "Circe", a
beautiful but evil enchantress. Aesop's Fables, written by Aesop, an ancient Greek, are still
read and enjoyed all over the world! To read some great fables, myths and stories, go
EDUCATION: Both daily life and education were very different in Sparta, than in Athens
or in the other ancient Greek city-states. With the exception of the Athenians (who
thought Athens was the best!), Greeks from other city-states had a grudging admiration
for the Spartans. They wouldn't want to be Spartans, but in times of war, they most
certainly wanted Sparta to be on their side. The Spartans were tough, and the ancient
Greeks admired strength.
ATHENS: In ancient Athens, the purpose of education was to produce citizens
trained in the arts, to prepare citizens for both peace and war. Girls were not educated at
school, but many learned to read and write at home, in the comfort of their courtyard.
Until age 6 or 7, boys were taught at home by their mother or by a male slave. From age 6
to 14, they went to a neighborhood primary school or to a private school. Books were
very expensive and rare, so subjects were read out-loud, and the boys had to memorize
everything. To help them learn, they used writing tablets and rulers.
In primary school, they had to learn two important things - the words of Homer, a famous
Greek epic poet, and how to play the lyre, a musical instrument. Their teacher, who was
always a man, could choose what additional subjects he wanted to teach. He might choose
to teach drama, public speaking, government, art, reading, writing, math, and another
favorite ancient Greek instrument - the flute.
Following that, boys attended a higher school for four more years. When they turned 18,
they entered military school for two additional years. At age 20, they graduated.
SPARTA: In ancient Sparta, the purpose of education was to produce a well-drilled,
well-disciplined marching army. Spartans believed in a life of discipline, self-denial, and
simplicity. They were very loyal to the state of Sparta. Every Spartan, male or female, was
required to have a perfect body. When babies were born in ancient Sparta, Spartan
soldiers would come by the house and check the baby. If the baby did not appear healthy
and strong, the infant was taken away, and left to die on a hillside, or taken away to be
trained as a slave (a helot). Babies who passed this examination were assigned
membership in a brotherhood or sisterhood, usually the same one to which their father or
mother belonged.
Famous Politicians
(Timeline showing careers of prominent Athenian politicians from 490 to 320.)
Miltiades ( - 489) 555 governor of Chersonese, 493 returned to Athens after Ionian
revolt, tried for tyranny, 490 general, 489 accused of fraud by Xanthippus. ALLIES:
Callimachus, Aristides RIVALS: Xanthippus RELATED TO: Cimon, Elpinice
Xanthippus (ca. 520 - ) father of Pericles, 484 ostracized (reason unclear), recalled
before 480, 479 general at Mycale, 479 ambassador to Sparta with Cimon and Myronides,
478 took Sestos RIVALS: Miltiades , Themistocles RELATED TO: Cleisthenes, Pericles
Myronides (ca. 530 - ) 479 sent as ambassador to Sparta with Cimon and Xanthippus at
the proposal of Aristides, 479 general of the Athenian contingent at Plataea
Aristides ( - ca. 467) 490/89 general who supported Miltiades, 489/8 archon, 482
ostracized, 480 returned during amnesty, general 480-478/7 and a commander of the
Athenian contingent at Plataea, 478 led Athenian fleet, 477 set first quotas for Delian
League, died after 467 ALLIES: Miltiades RIVALS: Themistocles RELATED TO:
Callias
Themistocles (528-462) 493 archon, 490 general, 483 proposed use of silver from
Laurium on fleet, 480 general, 479 bought time at Sparta while Athens built walls, 471
ostracized, 468 accused of treason RIVALS: Aristides, Hipparchus, Megacles,
Xanthippus, Cimon
Cimon (ca. 510 -450) 479 ambassador to Sparta with Xanthippus and Myronides, 479/8
onward held office as general frequently, 476-463 commander of many of the operations
of the Delian league, 468 Eurymedon, 461 ostracized, recalled after 457, 450 arranged 5
yrs. peace RIVALS: Themistocles, Ephialtes, Pericles RELATED TO: Miltiades, Elpinice,
Callias, Alcmaeonids
Ephialtes ( - 462/1) 465 commanded fleet, 462 opposed sending help to Sparta, 462/1
passed reforms to Areopagus ALLIES: Pericles RIVALS: Cimon
Pericles (495-429) 472 funded chorus for Aeschylus' Persians, 463 prosecuted Cimon,
462/1 joined with Ephialtes in passing reforms, 448 commanded expedition to return
Delphi to Phocis, 446 brought Euboea back into League, 446-446 brought Samos back
into League, 448-447 planned pan-Hellenic congress ALLIES: Ephialtes RIVALS:
Cimon, Thucydides son of Melesias, Cleon RELATED TO: Xanthippus, Cleisthenes,
Alcibiades
Thucydides son of Melesias () "he replaced Cimon as 'leader of the rich' and political
rival of Pericles" (OCD 1067), opposed Pericles' building program but not his naval
imperialism, 443 ostracized, 433 returned, may have brought charges against Anaxagoras
and other friends of Pericles RIVALS: Pericles, Cephisodemus RELATED TO: possibly
grandfather of the historian
Cleon ( - 422) 431-430 attacked Pericles, 427 proposed massacre on Mytilene, 425
success at Pylos, 424 may have been responsible for Thucydides' banishment, 423
massacre at Scione, 422 general RIVALS: Pericles, Nicias
Nicias (470 - 413) ...423 helped negotiate armistice, 421 Peace of Nicias, 415-413 siege
of Syracuse RIVALS: Cleon, Alcibiades, Hyperbolus
Alcibiades (450 - 404) 418 Mantinea, 415 Syracuse, 412 spread revolt in Ionia, 410
Cyzicus, 407 receives extraordinary command in Athens, 404 murdered ALLIES: Critias,
Thrasybulus of Steiria RIVALS: Nicias, Hyperbolus, Cleophon, Thrasybulus of Collytus,
Thrasyllus RELATED TO: Pericles
Hyperbolus ( - 411) 425/4 general, 422 leader of radical democrats after death of Cleon,
421 opposed Peace of Nicias, 417 ostracized by joint effort of Nicias and Alcibiades, 411
killed by Samian oligarchs RIVALS: Nicias, Alcibiades
Critias (460 - 403) 415 accused in mutilation of Herms, 411 active in oligarchy of 400,
411 or 407 supported recall of Alcibiades, 406 may have intervened in Thessalian affairs,
404 member of Thirty Tyrants ALLIES: Andocides, Alcibiades RIVALS: Cleophon,
Theramenes, Thrasybulus of Steiria RELATED TO: Plato
Andocides (440 - 390) 415 accused of having taken part in the mutilation of Herms, 411
helped fleet in Samos to win return to Athens, imprisoned by 400 on return, 403 returned
after amnesty, 400/399 attacked for profaning mysteries (perhaps by Callias), held
religious festival posts 392/1 sent to Sparta to negotiate peace, went into exile when
prosecuted following the rejection of the peace. ALLIES: Critias, Cephalus RIVALS:
Isotimides, Callistratus, Callias
Conon (444 - 392) 414 and 407-405 led fleet, 404 Aegospotami, 394 Cnidos, gained
popularity in Athens by bringing in Persian money to fund reconstruction of the Long
Walls, 392 arrested in Sardis while on an embassy; escaped, but died shortly thereafter.
RELATED TO: Timotheus
Theramenes (ca.455 - 404/403) student of Isocrates, 411 member of 400, 410 served in
Hellespont, 406 Arginusae, 404 treated with Lysander, 404 member of 30 ALLIES:
Archinus, Anytus, Phormisius, Isocrates RIVALS: Critias, Lysias
Thrasybulus of Steiria (- 388) 411 trierarch at Samos, 404 exiled by 30, 404 liberated
Phyle and Piraeus, 389/8 led fleet ALLIES: Alcibiades, Aesimus, Anytus, Ergocles
RIVALS: Critias, Thrasybulus of Collytus, Archinus
Thrasyllus ( - 406) 411-406 emerges as a soldier and a democrat, 410 one of those who
proposed an oath in support of democracy after the expulsion of the 400, 411-409 general,
406 executed for generalship at Arginusae ALLIES: Cleophon RIVALS: Alcibiades,
Thrasybulus of Collytus
Cleophon ( ) 410-406 Financial post, 410 and 405 prevented Athens from accepting
Spartan peace offers, 404 sentenced to death ALLIES: Thrasyllus RIVALS: Critias,
Alcibiades
Anytus () variously described as a moderate oligarch and a democratic leader, 409 lost
Pylos (through having turned back during a storm) but was not convicted for this
mischance, 403 took part in rising vs. 30, 399 prosecutor of Socrates, 395 still important,
384 possibly archon, according to legend, exiled by demos for attack on Socrates
ALLIES: Theramenes, Thrasybulus of Steiria
Thrasybulus of Collytus () after Notium accused Alcibiades, 382 stopped Leodamas
from becoming archon due to L's connection with 30, orator, general, enemy of
Alcibiades, 377 envoy to Thebes, RIVALS: Thrasybulus of Steiria, Alcibiades
Archinus (-ca. 403) moderate oligarch, before 405 proposed limits on pay of comic
playwrights (with Argyrrhius), 403 among the democrats at Phyle with Thrasybulus who
opposed the 30, 403 moved that documents be inscribed in Ionic characters, convicted
Thrasybulus for illegal proposal to give slaves citizenship, promoted amnesty, may have
died shortly after 403 ALLIES: Theramenes RIVALS: Thrasybulus of Steiria
Agyrrhius () 405 moved to limit fees of comic poets with Archinus, 400 prosecuted
Andocides, instituted pay for jury service, 395 raised pay for assembly to 3 obols by means
of Persian subsidies, orator, general, restored state subsidized funding making theater
accessible to poor (theorika).
Lysias (459 - 380) 404 exiled by 30 due to democratic leanings, 403 returned, given
citizenship, lost citizenship, wrote many legal speeches, 388 Olympiacus warns against
internal strife RIVALS: Theramenes
Phormisius () moderate oligarch, 404/03 fled under 30, 403 returned with Thrasybulus,
403 proposed limit on citizenship to those who owned land, 393 went on embassy to
Persia with Epicrates during Corinthian war, 379 led movement to free Thebes, evidently
switched from oligarchic to democratic tendencies ALLIES: Theramenes
Epicrates () 403 among democrats, leader of a small faction with Cephalus of Collytus,
went on embassy with Phormisius to Persia during Corinthian war, 395 accused (with
Cephalus) of taking Persian bribes, 389 sentenced to death for embezzlement ALLIES:
Cephalus
Cephalus () democrat, leader of small faction with Epicrates, known for never having
been accused under graphe paranomon, 399 defended Andocides in trial over mysteries,
395 accused (with Epicrates) of taking Persian bribes, 384 ambassador to Chios with
Aesimus 378 proposed aid to Thebes in the battle against Sparta ALLIES: Epicrates,
Andocides
Callias (450 - ca. 371) 399 had a doubtful role in the prosecution of Andocides for
profaning mysteries, 390 general with Iphicrates, 371 negotiated peace in Sparta RIVALS:
Andocides RELATED TO: Pericles, Alcibiades
Iphicrates (415 - 353) 390 victory versus Spartans with peltasts, 386 mercenary in
Thrace and Syria, 373 Corcyra, 369 incurred displeasure by allowing invasion of
Peloponnese, 367-64 command against Amphipolis, 355 Embata, known for at least two
legal speeches ALLIES: Callistratus RIVALS: Chares, Timotheus
Isocrates (436 - 338) 390s began to compose forensic speeches, 380 Panegyricus, 373
Plataicus, 366 Archidamus, 355 de Pace, 346 Philippus, 339 Panathenaicus ALLIES:
Gorgias, Theramenes, Socrates, Timotheus
Callistratus (- ca. 355) 391 attacked ambassadors to Sparta, 378 general with Timotheus
and Chabrias, influential in organization of 2nd Athenian Sea League, 372 general, 371
arranged peace with Sparta, 369 tried to reduce Theban power, 366 impeached, 361
impeached again and sentenced to die, served in Macedon, 355 executed when he returned
to Attica, plaintiff against Timotheus ALLIES: Iphicrates RIVALS: Andocides,
Timotheus, Aristophon RELATED TO: Agyrrhius, Timomachus
Aesimus () 384 ambassador to Chios with Cephalus ALLIES: Thrasybulus of Steiria
Androtion (410 - 340) before 378 member of boule, opposed alliance with Persia against
Macedon supported by Demosthenes and Eubulus, 354/3 attacked by Demosthenes for
violating graphe paranomon and spent 350-340 in exile RIVALS: Demosthenes, Eubulus
Timotheus ( - 354) military and political leader, student of Isocrates who refused to
ingratiate himself with the demos, 376/5 general, increased membership of 2nd Athenian
Sea League, 374 broke renewed King's Peace, 373 general vs. Sparta, impeached, 366
pursued a policy of imperialism, a policy which led to the Social War, 356 impeached
again and fined, 354 died in Chalkis ALLIES: Isocrates RIVALS: Chares, Iphicrates,
Callistratus, Aristophon RELATED TO: Conon
Demosthenes (384 - 322) 363 first prosecution, 355 onward more political trials, 351 1st
Philippic, 346 member of boule, 338 Chaeronea, delivered Funeral Oration for the year,
337/6 Theoric Commissioner, 335 supported Theban revolt, 330 On the Crown, 324-23
seems to have opposed Lamian war, 323 found guilty of embezzlement, retired, recalled,
322 retired again, condemned to death, committed suicide ALLIES: Timarchus,
Ctesiphon, Hegesippus RIVALS: Demades, Androtion, Leptines, Timocrates, Eubulus,
Aristocrates, Charidemus, Midias, Aeschines, Aristophon, Philocrates
Hyperides (389 - 322) 362 prosecuted Aristophon, 343 prosecuted Philocrates for
treason, an early ally of Demosthenes, 338 tried to get citizen rights for slaves and metics
324 prosecuted Demosthenes, 322 gave funeral oration for those fallen in the Lamian war,
322 arrested and executed at Antipater's instigation, went on diplomatic missions to
Delphi, Chios, Rhodes RIVALS: Demades, Aristophon, Philocrates
Eubulus (405 - 335) "probably the most important Athenian statesman of the period
355-342" (OCD 412). after 355 Theoric commissioner, opposed Macedonian involvement
in Greece, 346 supported the peace of Philocrates, lost power to Demosthenes and those
who advocated war ALLIES: Aeschines, Diophantus, Midias, Phocion RIVALS:
Demosthenes, Hegesippus, Androtion, Aristophon
Hegesippus (390 - 325) "an obscure but not unimportant figure" (OCD 492). 355
proposed alliance with Phocis, 346 opposed peace of Philocrates ALLIES: Demosthenes
Aeschines (397 - 322) 347/6 member of boule, 346 supported common peace, prosecuted
by Demosthenes, prosecuted Timarchus, 340/39 representative to Amphictionic council,
after 330 prosecuted Ctesiphon unsuccessfully and suffered a fine and legal penalties for
winning insufficient votes; retired to Rhodes ALLIES: Demades, Aristophon, Eubulus,
Phocion RIVALS: Demosthenes, Timarchus
Aristophon (435 - 335) opposed Callistratus, prosecuted Timotheus, 346 opposed ceding
Amphipolis, "he was attacked seventy-five times (never successfully) under the graphe
paranomon" (OCD 114). "A figure of the first importance" (OCD 114). ALLIES:
Aeschines RIVALS: Demosthenes, Callistratus, Eubulus, Timotheus, Hyperides
Philocrates ( ) 346 led embassy to negotiate peace with Macedon, 343 accused of treason
by Hyperides, left Athens.RIVALS: Hyperides, Demosthenes
Demades (ca. 380 - 319) 335 negotiated peace with Macedon, leader of Macedonian
party in Athens, after 323 disenfranchised, 322 reinstated, 319 plotted against Macedon &
was executed ALLIES: Aeschines RIVALS: Hyperides, Demosthenes