Athens sources Flashcards
what did Xenophon say about the role of women?
“It is clear that we consider what sort of women would give us the best children, and then we unite with them to produce children” Xenophon (a greek historian)
give an example of a hetairai
Aspasia, Pericles second wife
give an example of a woman who worked at a stall in the agora
women often worked alongside their husbands on farms or in market stalls – the playwright Euripides’ mother sold vegetables in the agora
name the wealthy metic
Cephalos - had 120 slaves making armour and shields – very wealthy
What did Xenophon say about the metics?
“Metics are one of our finest resources, for not only do the maintain themselves and perform many services at no expense to the state, but they also pay a metic tax.”
Xenophon on slaves:
The historian Xenophon said “It is thought wrong to enslave friend, but right to enslave enemies”.
Aristophanes, the ecclesia:
“They’ve fixed a business meeting for the assembly at sunrise, and here’s the Pnyx Hill – deserted. They’re all chatting in the Agora, and wandering up and down to avoid the rope with the red paint on it…”
Xenophon describing how people of all classes participated in the government and went to the ecclesia
“…Surely you aren’t too shy to meet cleaners and dyers, shoemakers, carpenters, farmers, merchants, market people? Well, these are the sort of people who make up the Assembly”.
Aristotle on the boule:
“Every month there is a vote to see whether the generals seem to be doing their duties properly” Aristotle
Store in the agora:
Simon the Cobblers shoe shop
How was Dionysius mocked in Aristophanes play?
Aristophanes play, The Frogs, which depicts Dionysus as cowardly, gluttonous and morally depraved.
What did Lysias say that religion did for Athens?
“By performing the proper sacrifices, our ancestors left our city the most powerful and prosperous in Greece. It is therefore right that we offer the same sacrifices as they did, if only for the sake of the good fortune which has resulted ” Lysias, an Athenian orator.
what does Eubolos tells us about the Agora?
the Agora was where “Everything will be for sale in the same place at Athens, figs, summoners, bunches of grapes, turnips, pears, apples, witnesses, roses… lambs, loans, indictments”.
what did Plutarch say about the ceremonial and monumental buildings?
“So the buildings arose, as imposing in their sheer size as they were inimitable in the grace of their outlines, since the artists strove to excel themselves in the beauty of their workmanship.”
What did Plutarch say about how quickly they were made?
“The most wonderful thing about them was the speed with which they were completed. each of them, men supposed, would take many generations to build, but in fact, the entire project was carried through in the high summer of one man’s administration.”
