Athens Flashcards
Explain why a typical Athenian house was arranged in the way it was.
inward facing centred around the courtyard, with no outward doors;
courtyard as an important source of light, focal point for women
(and might possibly have a well);
Andron, laid out as a luxury room, nearest the door where easily
able to greet visitors. Also reflects the dominance of men;
few windows which are high up – comfort and security;
women’s quarters – nearer to the slave’s quarters which reflects
their responsibility. Also have to pass the men’s area;
slave quarters – size reflects need for domestic tasks to be done
leaving family freer;
store room – issues of accessibility and security.
Imagine you are an ancient Athenian. Would you like to live in an Athenian house such as the one in the picture? Explain your answer.
Accept any reasonable opinion from an Athenian perspective based on any of the following:
design of an oikos;
appearance;
security;
facilities;
open courtyard etc.
Name some sporting events from the Panathenaia.
Sporting events that took place at the Great Panathenaia: Pentathlon; wrestling; boxing; equestrian events; torch race and running/stadion
boat races; chariot racing.
Why was the panethenaia important?
celebration of the founder of the city;
feasting and the distribution of the sacrificial meat;
for competition and the chance to win glory;
the visual spectacle of the competition would be impressive;
showing a sense of patriotic pride;
emphasising the unification of the people of Athens.
Why would an Athenian citizen enjoy the panethenaia?
leisure;
relaxation;
sense of unity;
competitions;
celebration.
What would an Athenian slave do?
shopping;
fetching water;
supervising the children’s education;
farming;
practising a craft – e.g. shoemaking;
slaves rented out by master;
domestic duties;
working in silver mines;
spinning / weaving / making clothes;
slaves employed by state;
entertaining / serving at the symposium.
How would a person become a slave?
born into slavery;
captured in war;
captured and sold by pirates;
abandoned as a baby and taken into slavery;
sold into slavery by parents because of poverty;
got into debt and became slave as result.
How important were slaves?
might enhance the household’s image and status;
might offer a degree of self-sufficiency and provide more free time
and why this was important;
source of revenue for family.
What would be included in a symposium?
acrobats;
dancers;
drinking watered wine;
intellectual debate;
jugglers;
kottabos;
mimes;
music.
How would a Kyrios prepare for a symposium?
sending out of smart invitations;
procurement of fine wine and food;
securing the services of different entertainers;
decoration and setting up of the andron
welcoming of guests;
food;
drinking;
entertainment
How would a Symposium help the family?
finance;
arranging marriage;
education of sons;
politics;
business;
What items in a picture could suggest that the God in the picture is Dionyssus?
cart;
satyrs;
vines/ivy leaves
Leopards
What were Dionysos’ responsibilities?
wine;
theatre
wild partying;
germination;
growth;
fertility;
death;
Explain how the Athenians worshipped Dionysos at the City Dionysia
statue taken to the temple;
priest had pride of place;
singing of hymns;
animals were paraded and sacrificed.
theatrical competitions;
What did a Greek comic actor wear?
short tunics;
lots of padding;
strap-on phalloi;
flat slippers;
masks;
leggings.