What mattered to the Ancient Athenians?

Where was Athens? Largest city state in Greece. Greek main land; region Attica. Region rich in resources, especially silver. Athens had its own port Piraeus and the largest navy in Greece.

Key myths. Poseidon and Athena both wanted to protect the city. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and offered a horse. Athena offered an olive tree. The men chose Poseidon, the women Athena and as there was one more woman, Athena became the protector and the city is named after her.

Key Athenians. Theseus: early ruler of Athens, divided it into 3 classes; the rich rulers, the farmers and the artisans. Drakon 624 BCE: first legislator of Athens. Laws written in marble and placed in the city for all to read. Solon BCE: ruler or Archon who worked to help the poor of Athens who had been burdened with debt and slavery. Seen as the father of Athenian democracy.

Key Athenians. Pericles BCE: key orator and general during the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. Helped create Athenian empire, he was responsible for many of the buildings at the Acropolis and for making Athens the cultural centre of Greece. Socrates BCE: philosopher and teacher. Plato BCE: founder of the Academy in Athens major western philosopher. Aristotle BCE: scientist and philosopher, teacher of Alexander the Great. Demosthenes BCE: statesman and orator. Professional speech writer and lawyer; key opponent of Phillip and Alexander of Macedon, fought for Athenian freedom.

The city. Dominated by the Acropolis, a hill above the city. Temple to Athena, the Parthenon was the most important building with her statue standing at 40 feet. City was destroyed by Xerxes in 480 BCE but rebuilt by Pericles and Themistocles. Upper city, Acropolis and the lower city surrounded by walls and the port also surrounded by walls and connected to the main city by long walls.

Key buildings The Academy, school founded by Plato The Agora, the market place contained the Mint, the law courts and several temples were here. Areopagus, the high court Theatre of Dionysis, tradgedies and comedies performed here. Odeon, centres for music Panthenaic stadium, centre for sport

The people At its largest, around 250,000 with a slave population of at least 25%. Metics were non Athenian Greeks who lived in Athens made up around 10%. Citizens were recorded on a register. Slaves were born, captured in war or enslaved as a result of debt. Some were owned by the state and were like civil servants. Athens had 10 tribes each with one general. Men between 20 and 50 could be called up for military service. Boys educated from 6 to 14 then a high school then military school for 2 years. Girls were not educated.