Athens

Betty Jo EberhartJanuary 7, 2010

City-State / Also called a Polis

• City with its own government and ruler• Different laws and punishments• Different personalities

Athens – Oldest of ancient Greece’s City-States

Athens Given to Athenafrom Zeus

Zeus Athena

Top God

Zeus’ daughter, GodOf wisdom, crafts, war,& heroism

The Athenians

• Courteous• Clever• Creative• Freedom• Polytheistic• Democracy

• ONLY for men!

ParthenonBuilt in honor of

Athena

The Acropolis

High Hill

More of the Acropolis

Oligarchy – Form of government in which a few people have the ruling

power

Democracy – Form of government in which citizens govern

themselves

Athenian Men

• Citizens• EducatedBoys:1. Worked with fathers in

fields or in craft shops2. Taught at home till 6 or 7

mother or male slaves3. Attended school –

memorized Homeric poetry, learned drama, public speaking, reading, writing, math, and flute (VERY STRICT!!!)

4. Attended higher schools – academies (Math, science, & government)

Athenian Men • Military for two years• Only fought when they

had to fight• Most men were farmers• Could move to a higher

rank in society – Did not have to be wealthy at birth

• Could try different careers, but most followed in father’s footsteps

Athenian Women • Not citizens• Had few or No Rights• Treated bad as slaves• Educated the son till a 6 – 7

years old• Girls stayed at home with

mothers• Got married at age of 12 - 16• Were not seen and only heard

by husband

Athenian Marriages• Women / Girls – 12 – 16• Men – Late 20’s• Wealthy – arranged at birth

(some)• Did not meet until that day• Dowry – Father gave husband

money or wealth to new son-in-law / “Who (perspective husband) would benefit him (the father) the most?”

• Father arranged marriage• Wedding a Big celebration – Using

included some sacrifice; cutting of the woman’s hair, ritual bath, etc.

• Woman was pregnant a lot (many deaths occurred)

• Women listened to fathers till married then husbands

Great AtheniansPtolemy

Great Astronomer

Great AtheniansEuclid

• Great Mathematician – Euclid

• Euclid Triangle

Great Athenians – Socrates • “The Great Questioner”• Plato studied under him• “An honest man is always a

child.”“Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.”“As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.” “False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.”

Great AtheniansHippocrates

Father of Medicine

Great Navy

Note: Only fought when needed!

Greatest Achievement Democracy

• Freedom• Right to vote• Right to serve on a jury• Having a say

• Except – Women have that right!