ancient greek citizens

If we use the word "citizens" are usually referring to a group of people living in the same city, with a common origin, language, customs and laws. According to Plato, the ideal city should not exceed 5,000 inhabitants, so we all know. But in fifth century Athens, things were a bit 'different, with about 40,000 citizens, 20,000 metoici (metics) and 100,000 slaves. We also have women and children who have neverincluding the number of inhabitants.

The male inhabitants of Athens were in three groups: citizens and slaves metoici. Athenian citizens were men only 18 years old, whose ancestors were in Athens for three generations. These happy people enjoyed all rights of free people and the state can be elected to all offices. The villagers who arrived at dawn to take in Acharnes draw daily for participation in someService had the same opportunity as the favorite son of an aristocratic time. This ability to deal with public affairs, of course, the existence of leisure persupposed. Athenian citizens chose not to work, but rather trying to be men of independent means, among other treatments for the cultivation of their lands and management of their properties. Supplies, such as artistic creation, was seen by many as demeaning. Despite this, Socratesmade a speech urging the poor to work, even if he did exactly the opposite. The demand for labor was often Teti who were the poorest of the citizens and made their living as laborers or rural workers covered. In this way, wealthy Athenians completely free to deal with public affairs, first with politics. But the poor citizens were required to present one was certain minimum participation in the assembly, and for this reason, the Statethe foresight to make money to those who represent their fathers, in meetings and perform the test, the less its lost profits.

All residents pay the same taxes. Has also acquired rich requested the support so that the moral satisfaction of their contributions and social prestige. Have served in the Army according to their income: as a knight with his horse and followed up as appropriate, or as trirenes Navy captains havecare of people. The poor but proud teti often the hard life of the rowers are preferred solely on their identity as equal citizens free, although the yields were poor show. Athenian citizens rich, poor or poor were all very proud of their origin, so proud that they never called their city "Athens", but "the city of Athens. The part taken in the management of the polis was for citizens who have Cast, assessed to be granted, and like allPeople with a lot of free time, took care of what was about to be informed in the city. This devotion to the Athenian public life made them respect the laws and concerns about a possible violation of the law that lead them through the loss of their civil rights would be downgraded.

One could say that the biographer of Athenian citizens of Aristophanes, Plato, Xenophon, and Plutarch, who were each from a different perspective. Much of what we know about the working classFrom dark references in the comedies of Aristophanes, whose sharp tongue hides nothing taken. He can then enjoy a village lout, the Agora smelled of garlic was given to a philosopher to speak to hear, without realizing it, but he also gave us information about each person, the possibility of acquiring knowledge. Strepsiades by friendly villagers in the clouds, we hear complaints of his wife, a woman from the capital, to wash it and bring it to its comfortable but dirtyClothes, and we realize that marriage is a disaster was always inappropriate. Xenophon was a practical man of the city, the house torn away from him, he learned the people of other countries, and developed a preference for a city open to all types of positive influences, including foreign. This breadth of mind we may have been the natural fate of a dynamic, Mesopotamia, the man promised to bring his comrades from a distantHighlands of Armenia to the shores of the Black Sea, and finally home. Even Plutarch, who was born in Chaeronia in the first century AD, we have valuable information on public life and in the first instance on some famous Athens, which has included in his life.

Plato, one of the most important personalities in the history of philosophy was a father who came from the family Codrus, and a mother from the birth of Solon. He wrote a rule in the form of a dialogue in which henot appear even though he put his views into the mouth of Socrates, his master. Plato revive its social environment where men went to conferences and refined an exchange of views about philosophy or music. In the house of the rich Callias, for example, intellectuals speculated whether virtue can be taught, they would spend the evenings with music, a lyre in the company of their conversation, or perhaps with the occasional song. Although everyone had a musical education, notWe are committed to playing the flute, for so had to do, shot to the face from cheek to make sound distortion. Dinner's most famous story, participants Eros (love), because the theme for the evening. This was the symposium, the well to do, Athenian citizens represented by aristocrats in order, learning, poets, philosophers, politicians and met in a lively discussion. Along with Socrates, the invited guest, they also received a badBarefoot man who was lucky enough, his successor, 'Socrates and students. Everyone talks about the theme, expressing his opinions in a fun and enjoyable. At some point in the beautiful Alcibiades appeared drunk, was based on a courtesan and garlands of pansies Attic. Although much wine was consumed, the discussion without exceeding the limits of decency on, while other groups of revelers were constantly coming and going.

All agreed thatEros has the most power, because it awakens in people skills, to differ and there is also a deterrent factor is the inappropriate behavior, just afraid of losing face in the eyes of the beloved. Each separate the physical attraction transitional unspoiled beauty from Aphrodite Urania, leading souls to each other, approaches perfection. Want to tell a joke, Eros seems forever young, leaving it avoids old, and perhapsis always immortal, because he lives, gets lost and reborn. They concluded that what is important in love is the quality that the sex of their love is direct, since Eros is the end and not the object of desire. Such were the surroundings of the gilded youth of Athens, to hear the conversations that would love to, admired the physical beauty and spiritual power of wise men with the same fervor, and whenever necessary, the battle moved to, where he wonAwards for bravery. Athenian citizens were people who could live a world of aristocratic to a democratic one with the subtlety required to They say to Plato, as laudable was a man of the human personality Could distinguish between three levels: freedom of speech, courage and passion. The ideal citizen who has not allowed the first two of the last to be tested.

The large number of metoici was a phenomenon only as xenophobic Sparta Athenian who have not been kept by theirRemote region. Athens, by contrast, was opened to the Greeks of other cities and even to foreigners who want to live and work in Attica. The metoici had all the duties of Athenian citizens, but enjoyed only a few of his rights. Were distributed in the township, paid taxes and served in the army only as hoplites (foot soldiers). They were able to purchase goods and slaves could not own land. They could not worship gods chosen, but did not vote orcould be elected to any important position, only the lowest, for example, as heralds or public works contractors. Most of them were artisans, merchants, and a good number, like the bankers did.

Since they were the productive class, many of them were rich and distinguished themselves through sponsorships, some law was also accepted into the class of citizens. Conversely, if you try metoicos to usurp the rights of free citizens illegally, wasdemoted to a slave. In studies metoici always had the support of an Athenian citizen as a guarantor and it is significant that when a metoicos killed a citizen, was sentenced to death, while others, when he was assassinated metoicos exile only punishment. The children of marriages between citizens and metoici were not as Athens, when he won the general appreciation by wealth or of particular acts. Many famous artists and philosophers of ancient Athens and there were metoiciIt seems that they accept their treatment as second class citizens without protest. In general, the Athenians metoici treated with the courtesy of a host to a welcome guest, so that personal interests were affected, particularly the inherited tradition of the state.

The women in the homes of two citizens of Athens and metoici, had absolutely no right to hold an opinion or participate in public affairs. The Athenian imagination justified to deprive women of theirRights from the goddess Athena had won the competition for the appointment of the city only by a female voice. It was then that the matriarchy was almost part for patrons warrior, who has never tolerated the actions of women, because women with the future of all important decisions were punished excluded set. This is established at the time of Cecrops, marriage as a comfort, making it the primary objective in the lives of Athenian women. And, of course, is marriageChildren, that's why, from birth to death, the Athenian woman was confined in an apartment. The girls are married very young, a man selected by their fathers, which must be unconditional obedience. They had full knowledge of home economics, respect for the house slaves and be marked by a spirit of economy. If the life of a slave captured in the house, there was a possibility that the girls learn a bit 'read and write, but moreOften they were only taught music and dance.

If a daughter is the only heir of patriarchal happiness, it would be given in marriage to close relatives on the maternal side, also a brother of the same father, but never a mother herself as the true bloodline was considered only from the mother's side. In the case of an application for divorce had struck the woman at Archon, you could hear the practical-Procedure. But even if some desperate women ventured an opportunity to be heard were minimal. And 'the example of Hipparete, wife of Alcibiades incorrigible, who could not stand at a certain point, the inconsistencies of their marriage. The brave woman took their request to the Archon, but Alcibiades was said by his friends, and divorce, however, have seized and shut her up in the women's section of the house without anyone objecting.

We have a lot ofDetails of the Athenian women from Xenophon, who weave a certain Isomachos, about 30 years, married to an ignorant girl 15 years and announced its obligations towards her, the kitchen, supervising the slaves, wrote to avoid waste and above all, be obedient to their husbands. Plutarch also spoke of the dignity of women of Athens and the modesty of their clothing, as shown, in contrast to the athletic young woman, the Spartans, he contemptuously called tunics because they were short of theirThigh. But Aristophanes, where the dynamic women who have dared protest was chastised his Lysistrata demonstrated opinion of the ancient Athenians about where women's power lies. In Ecclesiazouses ago sarcastic, that everything has always done behind closed doors, without the rest of ignorance and habit.

Perhaps the most striking indication of the status of women in Athenian society was an orator, that women fall into three saidCategories: courtesans to the delight of the mind, concubines for the pleasure and women for the purchase of legitimate children. It seems that family matters were so severe that the women launched a Solon law requires that men of Athens, the property took place, wives They visit in their chambers at least three times a month and then wear name a male heir. The symposium presented Socrates, that men with lower conversationstheir wives, and mention the name of a certain Nikiratos, which was connected through his wife truly love each other, a very rare event. Plato also suggested that marriage based on love would be better, but this was the utopian ideal "Republic" and not for the fact Asty.

The instruments of pleasure, courtesans (prostitutes) were two types: those municipalities were hikers special ones called the support of their wealthy patrons. Selected from childhoodtheir physical beauty were particularly suitable to be attractive. They were the only women who can move freely, so many of the courtesans had the opportunity of training in listening to various philosophers maintain. In each symposium scene, we see young courtesan. Orchistrides danced and played the flute avlitrides and chatted with the carefree revelers who speak, whose homes were treated with the zeal of Cerberus by magistratethe house, which has always carried on the belt keychain. The houses of famous courtesans were open to philosophers and artists who meet in a highly intellectual, many of these women used their charm for purposes of espionage or diplomatic situations, as old as society. A famous courtesan was beautiful, she learned Aspasia of Miletus, which so influenced Pericles, provoking the jealousy of the Athenians.

Representations on ceramics show us scenes from a verycontroversial phenomenon of pederasty, the only outlet for instincts in a society where women had limited their homes and had no interest or education. Another reason was that the constant wars of the male population kept away from home. The increase coincided with the cult of pederasty naked male body, that we admire in kouroi young. But in a society where the father, if he was not engaged in war with public affairs, it was natural to look for a boyOrientation of some older friends of the same sex, a relationship between an expert and someone with whom he continues his knowledge. Interestingly, the fans have always seemed to be male and female or never dressed in drag. Plutarch says that when the young man has a beard, began to grow that was acceptable to the relationship was social.

It 'been said that Plato in his Symposium noticedunique analysis of the concept of Eros, the beginning and the end, the spiritual unanimity. It 'can be created, in this very popular dinner last Alcibiades as a joke a jealous scene of Socrates, but he himself, Plato calls the "image of Eros," died in the arms of a famous courtesan T., mother the equally famous Corinthian Lais. Of the ten people present at the symposium, only two were aware of homosexuals: the host Agathon and his companion Pausanias. As withSocrates, when he was there paragon of abstinence, although this had drunk too much, and although it was caused shame, because in every aspect, what was important, not the mind and instincts. It seems that rarely turned into pedophilia to homosexuality. This camaraderie was usually limited to male teen-age. Moreover, the phenomenon after restricted since the 4th Century various interventions on the ceramic shows the vast majority of couplesheterosexual. But let the private life of the Athenians and others speak of social presence in the polis, the slaves.

To expand his business, bought slaves metoici more. Thus, a third group of residents of Athens has been created, some people hope to improve both their own game, had their children or their children's children. In Attica, slavery began to mythical time of the Pelasgians. The construction workers brought inelsewhere the walls first Athenian angry women and children of the local population at the well from which to draw water, and then caught the evil in Athens, and began to use them as servants. According to Plato, were real slaves to foreigners, mostly prisoners, told his fellow citizens to avoid buying the Greeks from other regions slave. The slave trade flourished in ancient Greece, and we wonder how a wise man like Aristotlemay refer to these creatures as unhappy as wild animals.

The largest slave market in Sounion in Attica was, of course for the needs of the mines of Lavrion. The slaves were bought and was metallevomenoi (miners) were the most unfortunate, because few of them lived very long, because of hard work in appalling conditions. To date, the Greek word ekmetallefsi exploitation. Family slaves had a much better fate, although they were also to be a sortproperty.

If someone has bought a slave and brought him home, gave him the hostess seated on the hearth of the family and other members of the family is scattered with walnuts to give it a name. From then on, the slave was an integral member of the family and to participate in sacred rites. If he had children, belonged to the family and when he died, was buried in the family tomb. Had no right, apart from the possibility of appeal to the altar inAgora and sanctuary to ask if his life was unbearable. But he had to prove his case.

No citizen of Athens or metoicos be considered worthy of respect, not slaves. It is assumed that each house had an average of about 10 slaves, who edited the housework and even accompanied their masters in their public appearances. In times of war, slaves, on foot, carrying their weapons or slings master operation. Where he was raised a slave, heserved as a teacher of young families, passing on his knowledge to them and accompany them to colleges and universities. The information must come from us than some slaves given their freedom, was to encourage the citizens' group, but ties with the family always very strong.

Considering the various inhabitants of Athens, we are often surprised by their lifestyle and their values, which are often incomprehensible to the peoplelive today. But we have great commitment to make all of them for their contribution to the heritage left behind Them: the rich for the spirit, workers for the Arts, the women to maintain the family, the slaves are free and creative with the endless hours their masters enjoyed. Pragmatic and poets, philosophers and traders, warriors and peacemakers, the ancient Athenians cultivated their minds to think clearly, with the boldness of inspiration and freedom ofExpression that made her the epitome of their age, and founders of Western civilization.