The Oikos Flashcards
What were the main duties of the kyrios?
He needed to ensure his wife was running the domestic affairs and finances effectively, had to speak often to the paidagogos about the progress of his son, bought slaves in the slave market, main representative for the family at public events such as weddings, funerals and festivals, host symposiums, role model for his family, especially his sons.
What else was the kyrios very involved in?
The politics of the city.
What depended on how much time the kyrios spent at meetings, debates and votes?
His wealth. If he did not have much work to do then he would be able to attend these political activities.
What was crucial for a house to be self sufficient?
Owning a farm, outside the city.
What crops were found on these farms?
Grapes, apples, pears, figs, pomegranates, barley, rye and wheat.
What were animals reared for?
Wool, dairy products and meat.
Why was beekeeping popular?
They provided honey which was the main way of sweetening food and they don’t take up much space.
What powers did the kyrios have?
He owned all the property, including slaves. He had the final say on matters such as whether to let a new born child live, or whom his daughter should marry.
How did a woman become a kyria?
A married woman automatically became the leading female in the family and assumed her role as the kyria.
What were the main responsibilities of the kyria?
Overseeing all household tasks, spinning and weaving of cloth, produce a male heir which could inherit his father’s estate, budget carefully for future needs, keep a close eye on store rooms, to see if grain stays fresh, take care of slaves if they fall ill.
How did the kyria symbolise her control of the storerooms?
She carried a bunch of keys.
Where did the spinning and weaving take place?
The gynakion.
Why was the spinning and weaving important?
It saved the household a lot of money as cloth was expensive.
What were the rights of the kyria?
Legally the possession of her husband and had to obey his commands. She had no right to vote or take part in the political system of the city.
When could women leave the house?
They were discouraged from leaving the house and would usually be escorted by a male relative, this prevented unwanted attention from other men.
What could women buy?
They couldn’t buy or sell land, while in Athens they were prevented from buying worth more than a medimnos of barley.
Could women acquire property?
Yes through gift or inheritance, but it was always put under the management of the kyrios.
Describe the dowry.
When married, the father paid a dowry to the husband. If he should divorce her, then the husband had to repay the dowry, although this went not to his ex-wife but back to the father.
Why would a kyrios hold a symposium?
A good opportunity to make political, commercial and social connections. His business might benefit as it gives a good impression. Find a suitable marriage match for his son or daughter. Gained a reputation for being a good host.
What did the invitations look like for a symposium?
These were typically small statues made of limestone which depicted people walking to a party or feasting.
How were women involved in the preparation for a symposium?
They made garlands for the guests to wear and decorations for the andron with flowers, as well as long steamers of vine or ivy.
Who produced the meal?
A professional cook was hired.
What else did the host have to organise?
The wine, since its quality was of crucial importance.
When the drinking started what sort of entertainers would arrive?
Girl musicians were usually hired to play the aulos, while dancers, acrobats and mimers were also common.
How could the guests create their own entertainment?
Telling anecdotes or playing games. Some guests might sing skolia which were composed to be sung at symposia.
What was kottabos?
After draining their cups, the guests tried to flick the dregs of the wine at a target. Sometimes this target was a disc balanced on a stand, at others it was a bowl or cauldron which would hiss when the wine landed in it.
