July 26, 2013

DAILY LIFE IN ANCIENT ATHENS

AUTHOR:  Georgia Moldovani

Translated from Greek to English: Ioanna Sivridou

During ancient times in Athens daily life started with the sunrise. As Athenians left their home they ate a simple breakfast which commonly consisted of barley bread dipped in wine. They were dressed in white clothes. Their main cloth was a tunic (a piece of cloth whose length reached the knees, with holes fitted for pockets) and on top the tunic, a kind of cloak, that was tied on the chest under the left armpit .

Their head was left uncovered so as their thick hair could be seen which was never cut but coated with oil mixed with spicy essences.  On their feet they were wearing sandals which were tied with leather straps. The cane was used to complete their appearance.

They went to the agora, an area of columns and pillars decorated by statues of prominent men. In the agora one could find the Parliament as well as the Courts which were surrounded by plane trees and poplar trees.

Their salutation was a hand-movement followed by the words, “be happy, healthy and busy.”

The Athenians were social people that cared about health, beauty, friendship and happiness. They claimed that without friendship happiness could not exist, as friendship adorns life.

After their meetings and discussions in the agora they went home for a meal.  They were hospitable people that paid a lot of attention to proper manners.  At the start of their meals the servants offered water to the guests so that they could wash their hands .  Fish and poultry with a special sauce made of olive oil, honey and vinegar was their main meal. They drank sweet wine that smelt of flowers. They called this wine Aphrodites milk.

They were chatting and singing whilst someone played the lyre during their meals.  They drank a lot of wine diluted with water but without extremes.  The Athenians didn’t have a siesta as sleep didn’t play an important role in their lives.  In the afternoon they visited the public schools (high school, lyceum) and the Academies where philosophic discussions took place.  Later they exercised.

In Ancient Athens the boys of the rich families were sent to private tutors. They wanted their children to be educated. When a child reached the age of seven was sent to the teacher’s home where educated people taught them how to read and write. They were also sent to musicians to learn how to play the lyre, flute or organ so that their soul could be familiarized with harmony.

They were also sent to gyms and to the wrestling ring so that their body could become strong.

The girls stayed at home with their mother learning house jobs. They also learned basic writing , reading, as well as singing and dancing.  The Ancient Athenians were doctors, teachers, farmers.  They enjoyed every day life and life in general.

A  DAY WITHOUT A SMILE WAS A  LOST DAY, that was their motto.