Athens: Women and Enslaved People
Only men were allowed to be citizens in Athens. Citizenship was not possible for women and people who were enslaved, so they had far fewer rights than free men did. Athenian women could not inherit or own much property. They could not vote or attend the Assembly. They could not participate in government at all.
WOMEN:
A few women held jobs, and some sold goods in the market. A few very important women were priestesses. However, most Athenian women had their greatest influence in the home. They spent their days managing the household and raising their children—the two roles that their society believed women should have. An Athenian wife had separate rooms at home to complete her responsibilities, which included spinning and weaving to make cloth, and supervising people who were enslaved. She never went out alone. An Athenian mother taught her sons until they were about 6 or 7 and ready for school. She educated her daughters until they were 15 and ready to be married.
ENSLAVED PEOPLE:
Many people were enslaved in ancient Athens. Most Athenians who weren't poor enslaved at least one person. Some people were born into slavery, while others were forced into it as captives of war. This was true in many societies in the ancient world.
People enslaved in Athens performed a wide variety of jobs, including tasks that required a great deal of skill. Some ran households and taught Athenian children. A number of enslaved Athenians were trained as artisans. Others worked on farms, in factories, or for the city as clerks. Some people were enslaved to work in the silver mines, where they might work ten hours a day, in cramped tunnels 300 feet below the surface. They had little air to breathe and were often harshly punished if they stopped to rest. Without machinery to make work easier, people in ancient times resorted to enslaved labor for the worst jobs.
WOMEN:
A few women held jobs, and some sold goods in the market. A few very important women were priestesses. However, most Athenian women had their greatest influence in the home. They spent their days managing the household and raising their children—the two roles that their society believed women should have. An Athenian wife had separate rooms at home to complete her responsibilities, which included spinning and weaving to make cloth, and supervising people who were enslaved. She never went out alone. An Athenian mother taught her sons until they were about 6 or 7 and ready for school. She educated her daughters until they were 15 and ready to be married.
ENSLAVED PEOPLE:
Many people were enslaved in ancient Athens. Most Athenians who weren't poor enslaved at least one person. Some people were born into slavery, while others were forced into it as captives of war. This was true in many societies in the ancient world.
People enslaved in Athens performed a wide variety of jobs, including tasks that required a great deal of skill. Some ran households and taught Athenian children. A number of enslaved Athenians were trained as artisans. Others worked on farms, in factories, or for the city as clerks. Some people were enslaved to work in the silver mines, where they might work ten hours a day, in cramped tunnels 300 feet below the surface. They had little air to breathe and were often harshly punished if they stopped to rest. Without machinery to make work easier, people in ancient times resorted to enslaved labor for the worst jobs.
citizenship (noun)
The state of being a citizen, which means having rights and responsibilities in a country.
Example Sentence: My parents became citizens of the United States after living here for many years.
inherit (verb)
To receive something from someone who has died, like money or property.
Example Sentence: My grandmother left me a beautiful necklace in her will, so I inherited it.
Assembly (noun)
A group of people who meet to discuss and make decisions.
Example Sentence: The school assembly was held in the gymnasium, where all the students and teachers gathered.
supervising (verb)
To watch over and make sure something is done correctly.
Example Sentence: The teacher was supervising the students as they worked on their science project.
artisans (noun)
People who are skilled at making things by hand, like pottery or jewelry.
Example Sentence: The artisans at the craft fair were selling beautiful handmade baskets and wooden toys.
The state of being a citizen, which means having rights and responsibilities in a country.
Example Sentence: My parents became citizens of the United States after living here for many years.
inherit (verb)
To receive something from someone who has died, like money or property.
Example Sentence: My grandmother left me a beautiful necklace in her will, so I inherited it.
Assembly (noun)
A group of people who meet to discuss and make decisions.
Example Sentence: The school assembly was held in the gymnasium, where all the students and teachers gathered.
supervising (verb)
To watch over and make sure something is done correctly.
Example Sentence: The teacher was supervising the students as they worked on their science project.
artisans (noun)
People who are skilled at making things by hand, like pottery or jewelry.
Example Sentence: The artisans at the craft fair were selling beautiful handmade baskets and wooden toys.