Ancient Greece Social Classes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What were women in ancient Greece considered?

Second-class citizens (correct)

Equal to men

First-class citizens

Third-class citizens

Women were considered to be no smarter than __________.

children

Where were women expected to stay in ancient Greece?

home

What tasks did poor women in ancient Greece undertake outside the home?

run errands, fetch water, and shop Signup and view all the answers

What were wealthy women responsible for in ancient Greece?

managing the household and bearing sons Signup and view all the answers

Spartan women were able to own __________.

property Signup and view all the answers

Who are metics in ancient Athens?

middle-class people who came to Athens to earn their livelihood Signup and view all the answers

What was the expectation of a Spartan mother when her child was born?

that the baby is healthy and sturdy Signup and view all the answers

What could happen to an Athenian girl at birth?

her parents might be disappointed Signup and view all the answers

Where was a newborn Athenian man's birth announced?

pinned olive leaves to the door Signup and view all the answers

Who were considered the lowest class of Athenians?

slaves Signup and view all the answers

What were the lower class/freedmen in ancient Athens?

people who were previously slaves and freed but not considered citizens Signup and view all the answers

What role did upper-class Athenians play in society?

handled the business of government, literature, philosophy, and war Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Women were classified as second-class citizens in Ancient Greece, with limited rights and responsibilities.
Women were often perceived as being no smarter than children, reflecting societal views on gender.
The home was the primary domain for women, where they were expected to remain.

Varieties of Women

Poor women had the responsibility of running errands, fetching water, and shopping, and did not own slaves.
Wealthy women managed households and were expected to bear sons, playing a key role in family lineage.

Spartan women enjoyed more freedoms compared to other women in Greece; they could own property.
Spartan mothers celebrated the birth of healthy sons, emphasizing strength and resilience.

Athenian women faced disappointment upon the birth of a girl, as some families preferred male offspring.
The birth of a boy in an Athenian family was marked with a celebration, including pinning olive leaves to the door symbolizing success.

Ranks within Society

Metics were non-natives who migrated to Athens for work, forming a middle-class segment.
Slaves in Athens, captured from wars or convicted criminals, represented the lowest social class with no rights or freedoms.

Lower Classes and Freedmen

The lower class included freedmen, former slaves who were never granted citizenship, reflecting a lack of social mobility.

Upper-Class Privileges

Upper-class Athenians were responsible for governance, literature, philosophy, and warfare, often relying on slaves for daily tasks.

Description

Explore the social structure of ancient Greece with these flashcards. Each card highlights the status of women and their expectations within society. Test your knowledge and gain insights into the roles and positions of various social classes in this historic civilization.