Ancient Greece was one of the first civilizations. In some ways it was different than today. Let’s explore how.
The first difference is that the land in Ancient Greece was not as agriculturally productive as the land in modern America. The most productive farms in Ancient Greece were located in valleys. Farms in mountainous areas used terrace farming to create flat plots of land. The custom among land owners was to keep slaves to do the difficult farm work. (1) The farms in Ancient Greece did not produce enough food to feed the people. They had to trade with other countries for their food.
Women had much less power than men. They were expected to be house wives. When they got married, they were expected to provide a dowry, which is a sum of money given to the husband from the bride’s family. Brides were married as young as twelve years old. Wives stayed inside and took care of the house and the kids. (2)
Only upper class men were allowed to vote and participate in democracy. No other groups of people could participate in government. Merchants, slaves and other non-citizens did not have many rights. Women of all classes also did not have rights and could not vote. (3) Babies were treated more like objects. Weak or sickly babies in Sparta were left outside the city. (4)
Most businesses were small or cottage industries. (5) There were no Walmarts or other big stores. Slavery existed and it was normal for the time. Everyone who could afford one had one. Slaves were imported from areas all around the Mediterranean, but they were from outside Greece. Slaves could work in the house, on the farms, in businesses, or doing things like working in mines or building roads. (6)
Some things were very different and some things were not. Life in Ancient Greece was not too different than life in America 100 or more years ago. But since the 1800’s things are getting better. For example, we have outlawed slavery and women can vote.
***
References:
(1) Robert Garland, “Space And Time,” in Ancient Greece: Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Western Civilization, (Sterling New York, 2013), 35.
(2) ibid, 70-71
(3) ibid, 113-115
(4) ibid, 91-94
(5) ibid, 242-243
(6) ibid, 109-114
Image Source: Twinkl.com Ancient Greece Geography
