The People of The People of Ancient Ancient AthensAthens

Looking at Athenian ArtLooking at Athenian Art

SlaveryThis slave girl was expected to

entertain her owner by dancing for him.

SlaverySlaves often acted as nannies, caring for the children of rich

Athenian families.

SlaveryThis amphora shows slaves gathering olives. Athenian

slaves were often employed in agricultural tasks.

SlaverySlaves were often women

taken as booty of war.

WomenWomenThis is a Black-Figure vase dating to the late sixth or early fifth century B.C.E. The vase shows a woman drawing This is a Black-Figure vase dating to the late sixth or early fifth century B.C.E. The vase shows a woman drawing

water at a fountain as the women behind her carry water jugs on their heads. This type of vase is called a water at a fountain as the women behind her carry water jugs on their heads. This type of vase is called a hydria and was often used to hold water.  hydria and was often used to hold water.  

Athenian women at Athenian women at the water fountainthe water fountain

I wonder what they’re talking about?I wonder what they’re talking about?

Women and Marriage

This is a Red-Figure vase dating to the fifth century B.C.E. It shows a groom

leading a bride by the hand while another woman adjusts

the bride's clothes. This type of vase is called a pynxis and was

often used to store toilet articles such as women's

cosmetics. 

Women and Marriage

This is a Red-Figure vase dating tothe mid fifth century B.C.E. It shows several women presenting gifts to a bride on

the day after her wedding. This type of vase is called a lebes gamikos and was a typical wedding gift for a wealthy

bride. The bride, who is seated, holds a lebes gamikos on her

lap.

Women and Childbirth

Late 5th century BCE marble grave stele. A maidservant

holds a baby out to its mother to say farewell. This might be a gravestone for a mother who

died in childbirth.

SoldiersHoplite soldiers used to fight arranged in rows – marching shoulder to

shoulder with their shields arranged to form a continuous barrier that prevented enemy spears and arrows from getting

through the wall of shields.

Themistocles

Due to the potential threat posed by the Persians from aiding the Ionians,

Themistocles convinced the Athenians to renovate their harbors into fortified

naval bases as well as build 200 additional triremes. His intelligent

anticipation as well as his actions sat well with the Athenians as the Persians did eventually attack

mainland Greece. He served as a very important and popular General for the

Navy during the fist and second Persian invasion. Themistocles was

eventually ostracized in 471 where he defected to Asia Minor.

ThemistoclesThemistoclesThese ostraka all have Themistocle’s name written on them.These ostraka all have Themistocle’s name written on them.

The TriremePerhaps the most interesting aspect pertaining to the men

who composed the crew of the Athenian triremes was the fact

that the ships were an extension of their democratic

beliefs. The rich and poor rowed alongside each other.

Athenian Citizens

Athenian citizens spent much of their day debating the

issues facing their city-state. What do you imagine they’re

talking about?

Men gathered at the Assembly

Education in Athens

In this depiction, a student stands before his teacher, who is holding an open scroll. The

student appears to be reciting, while his teacher checks his accuracy. What is the boy on

the left doing?

Athenian girls

This small terracotta sculpture depicts two adolescent girls playing the game of "knucklebones”. The game was usually played like the

modern game of "jacks": one threw the knucklebones in the air and attempted to catch as many as

possible. They were also used like modern "dice." Each of the four long

sides of the knucklebone had a value: the convex side was worth 3, the concave 4, and the two flat sides

1 and 6. Most knucklebones were made out of the actual ankle bones of sheep or goats, but fancier ones

were made of ivory, bronze, or terracotta..

MeticsMost workshop owners were

metics. Metics could also rent land from Athenian citizens or be

employed by them as farm workers.

Your task:Choose a piece of ancient Athenian art from this

presentation or elsewhere. Select one of the people depicted in the art. Think abut their life and what they might do every day. How do you imagine they feel about their life? What events are happening at this period in time? Create a

monologue that you will perform to a small group of friends that demonstrates your

understanding of life in ancient Athens. If you choose a piece of art that is not in this

presentation, please check with your teacher first before proceeding.