The city-state of Athens
I can describe what life was like in the Ancient Greek city-state of Athens.
The city-state of Athens
I can describe what life was like in the Ancient Greek city-state of Athens.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The land around Athens was hard to farm. Athenians imported lots of food and built a seafaring trading society.
- By 431 BCE the important city state of Athens was a democracy; Athenians debated and voted on laws in the Assembly.
- Men had duties; they had to obey the laws, serve in the army, help run the city, pay taxes and serve on juries.
- Women were expected to stay at home and do housework; they cleaned, cooked and wove cloth.
- About 100,000 enslaved people made up about a third of the population and almost every home had at least one.
Common misconception
That a country having a democratic government involves all the people in the country having a say.
In Ancient Greece, only men were allowed to be part of the Assembly and take part in votes. Women were not allowed to vote, the men made the decisions and the women had to abide by them.
Keywords
Athens - Athens was one of the largest city-cities in Ancient Greece
Democracy - democracy is a form of government where the people hold power
Assembly - the Assembly was a gathering of Ancient Greek men who made decisions in Athens
Enslaved person - an enslaved person is someone owned by someone else who forces them to work without pay
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a body of water around part of the Greek coast
a city-state in Ancient Greece
the highest mountain in Greece
a country where Ancient Greece had colonies
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a form of government where the people hold power
a gathering of men who made decisions in Athens
to discuss an issue and consider its good and bad points
to show your choice on something