Introduction

1. Introduction • Ancient Athens achieved so much that it is often called the 'cradle of Western civilisation'- this means that it developed much of what we have today. • Athens made many developments in politics, sport, theatre and architecture • Athens was a lively democracy, full of ideas and brilliant achievements • Athens was welcome to new ideas and change

2. A citizen's life • Adult male citizens led a very active, busy life. These are some of the things you might do as a male citizen in Athens- • If there was a war on, and there often was, you would serve in the war • You would work a job- you might be a stonemason, farmer or merchant

3. A citizen's life • You would take part in religious festivals, you might even act in a play, sing, play a musical instrument or dance. • You would go to the a temple to make a sacrifice to a god. In particular to Athene, the goddess of Athens. Her statue was outside of the Parthenon.

4. A citizen's life • You would go down to the Pnyx (a small hill) and hear debates about new taxes, you might even speak yourself, and then vote. • You might even serve on the Council of 500 or in some other important government job.

5. Barbarians • Athenians were fiercely proud of their achievements, they believed they were the greatest civilisation that had ever existed • Greek men of the time thought of all non-Greeks as inferior • They called non-Greeks 'barbarians' • They thought other languages sounded silly, like they were saying 'bar-bar-bar' all the time • Athenians regarded people as slaves if they let themselves be ruled by others

6. Life in ancient Athens • Athenians had the freedom to think and express their opinions • because of this freedom, Athenians were able to achieve so much in a very short time • they made great achievements in story telling, theatre, art, history and politics

7. Entertainment • Music, dancing, singing and story-telling were very important in Athens • These forms of entertainment often took place in public places and was shared with the city • The most popular stories were those told by Homer. Athenians especially loved the stories told by Homer, one of the favourites was about the Trojan war (the Iliad)

8. Entertainment • Many of the stories were about gods, goddesses, heroes and monsters, which were apart of the religion of ancient Greece and are now usually called 'myths' • Greek gods were not perfect. They often behaved badly. The stories are full of violence and heroic courage.

9. Theatre • In the 5th century BC Athens produced four of the most famous writers of all time- Aeschylus, Sophocles and wrote tragedies and Aristophanes who wrote comedies • The plays of these writers are still performed and studied to this day. • Their plays were shown in competition with other plays as part of a religious festival devoted to the god Dionysius

10. Theatre • The plays were performed in open-air theatres so well designed that, even with over 1000 people watching, everyone could still hear the actors. These theatres are called amphitheatres. • The plays of these writers show how much freedom there was in Athens. The writers express strong opinions about what is important in human life, and even criticise decisions made by powerful figures.

11. Sport • Sport was a very important part of life all over Greece, and Athens was no exception • Greeks believed that being fit and strong and living and active healthy life was very important • most cities had their own sports stadiums • the mains sports were athletics and wrestling. • Every 4 years from about 700 BC people would travel to Olympia in south-western Greece to compete in the Olympic Games

12. Architecture • Family houses in Athens weren't as luxurious as those in other parts of the ancient world • Reasons for this could be because Athenian men spent so much time in public or because they thought of themselves as physically tough, and admired those who were, and looked down on people who were lazy or too keen on luxury

13. Architecture • Public buildings, especially those devoted to religion, such as temples and theatres, were very beautiful • In the centre of Athens was a hill called the Acropolis, by the end of the 5th century BC the top of this was an important religious area, dominated by the temple dedicated to the goddess Athene. This temple is called the Parthenon

14. Politics • The most famous leader of Athens was Percles • Percles had a gift for giving brilliant speeches to persuade the people of Athens to agree with many of his policies • Percles believed in the greatness of Athens and on democracy being the best form of government • Percles believed that under other types of government people were no better than slaves of 'beasts'. Many Athenians had this belief. • Percles made a famous speech stating that In Athens 'power is in the hands of the whole people, not just a small group...everyone is equal before the law...'

15. Democracy in Athens • Athens was a direct democracy, meaning all citizens were able to vote directly on all laws and other major decisions • It is important to remember that you had to be a free (not a slave) male adult to be a citizen • The people were the government- it was a direct democracy • A direct democracy is when people vote to make their own rules and laws

16. Democracy in Athens • All citizens had to be willing to take part in government • Each year 500 names were drawn form all the citizens of Athens. This made the council of 500. This council were the law makers • When the council of 500 created a law, the other citizens of Athens would vote. Majority always ruled. • Who was not a citizen in ancient Athens? • Adult women • Slaves • People born outside Athens • People with parents born outside Athens (after 440 BC) • Children

17. Women • The role of women in Athens was to have children and stay at home • Women were expected to stay out of public affairs • A woman would not choose her husband; her father who paid money to the husband chose him. This is known as a dowry. • A woman would usually marry a much older man when she was between 14-16 years old.

18. Women • A woman was only able to leave the house if she was accompanied by a slave r a member of the household. • It was the law in Athens that the woman was the property of her father until she was married. Then she would be her husband’s property. • Women were considered untrustworthy. They were not allowed to give evidence in court or own property.

19. Slaves • Athens had many slaves • Slaves were mostly people who had been captured in war. • Slaves who lived with a family were usually well treated • Conditions for the slaves in the silver mines were very bad • A slave could buy their freedom