The Athenian Population in the 5th and the 4th centuries BC

Question 1

Athens

Answer 1

in the 5th century was the economic and cultural center of Greece. Most densely populated city in the Greek world

Question 2

the Metics

Answer 2

enjoyed personal freedom but had no Athenian citizen rights. had to pay fixed taxes and they were liable to service in the Athenian army. mostly were not allowed to own land but could lease houses and land. usually these people were craftsmen, sailors, day labourers, wealthy doctors, bankers, merchants, architects.

Question 3

the Slaves

Answer 3

worked alongside citizens and non-citizens in agriculture, transport housekeeping, skilled trades. slaves could be found in workshops, trading centers, dockyards, mines of Laurium. when they required freedom, they became metics. the slaves did not revolt because they had no sense of common identity. Domestic slaves and slaves of small farmers and craftsmen were pretty well off, but miner slaves had rough conditions.

Question 4

women in Athens

Answer 4

Athenian society was a male one. women had no political rights. since 451/’50 BC, only Athenian citizens could legally marry and, thus, Athenian women were sought after. played important roles in public worship of the Gods and other religious tasks. married women lived mostly indoors and performed their daily tasks there. Marriageable age was around 14/15.

Question 5

the Hetairai

Answer 5

women who were something between a high-class prostitute and a mistress. they had more freedom in their movements. sometimes they were well educated. spent a lot of time with statesmen.

Question 6

women in Sparta

Answer 6

Spartan wives were able to move about freely and had a reduced family life as the males were off to train to be military men. they received good Athletic training.