Ancient Greek Society

Women’s Roles In Ancient Greece Women dressed in clothes much like those worn by the men. If you were married to a rich man, your chiton would have been made of brightly colored wool or linen. On special occasions women wore wigs and makeup. They were not allowed to eat or sleep in the same room as men, go to the Olympics, or go into the marketplace or streets of the city. Women in less wealthy households had to do all of the household work because they could not afford slaves. In peasant households, the women were in charge of working the fields.

Common Practices Regarding Marriages in Athens In ancient Athens, wedding ceremonies started after dark. The bride traveled by chariot from her home to the grooms home. Her family followed the chariot on foot carrying gifts. Friends of the bride and groom carried torches and played music to scare away evil spirits.

Common Practices Regarding Marriages in Sparta Ceremonies were very simple Men fought to see who had superior strength After winning the fight the groom tossed the bride over his shoulder and carried her away. Men and women named their children after themselves

Family Duties Specific to Males Men was in charge of the family and the house Men worked during the day as businessmen or farmers Greatly respected at home During dinner they laid on a couch and were fed and entertained by slaves. Considered the most important people in Greece

Family Duties Specific to Females Married women stayed home most of the time A woman's job at home was to spin thread, weave cloth, look after children and prepare food. When rich women went out they had to take a slave with them. If you are poor you went out alone. Poor women went out of the home more then a rich woman would. Few Greek women had much freedom. Could not eat or sleep in the same room as men. Aspasia – was the girlfriend of Pericles

QUIZ TIMEEEE ! How did men eat dinner? They sat on the couch and were fed by slaves What is one role of the greek women? They spun thread How did greeks name their children? They were named after the man If a woman was married what would they wear? They would wear bright colored tunics

Work Cited http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/Greeceroles1.html Roles of Men, Women, and Children By Grant Fisher and Cheri Beth Harlan http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/greek-wives.html Ancient History Sourcebook: Aristotle: On a Good Wife, from Oikonomikos, c. 330 BCE By Paul Halsall