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.
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