Daily Life in Ancient Greece

By Don Nardo

What was life really like for everyday people in Ancient Greece? In this detailed exploration of daily life in one of history’s greatest civilizations, readers will use primary sources and information from archeological discoveries to discover fascinating insights and debunk popular myths. Immersive timelines, maps and references to important people and events will bring children on a time-traveling journey through Ancient Greece.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jul 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798875231681

Don Nardo

Noted historian and award-winning author Don Nardo has written many books for young people about American history. Nardo lives with his wife, Christine, in Massachusetts.

Book preview

Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations: Daily Life in Ancient Greece by Don Nardo

Contents

Cover

Title Page

How did Greek Culture Become a Model for the Modern World?

How did the Invention of Democracy Affect Greek Life?

What was an Ancient Greek Home Like?

What was Greek Family Life Like?

What Jobs were Most Common in Greece?

How did the Ancient Greeks Worship their Gods?

What did the Ancient Greeks Do for Fun?

How Do We Remember Ancient Greece Today?

A Day in the Life of an Ancient Greek Child

Timeline

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

Cover

Title Page

Contents

Start of Content

cover

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

2

back cover

HOW DID GREEK CULTURE BECOME A MODEL FOR THE MODERN WORLD?

Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now! These words were part of a public speech given in 431

bce

, a little over 2,400 years ago.

The speaker was Pericles, a government official in Athens, in south-central Greece. At the time, Athens was the largest and most influential Greek city-state. There were a couple hundred of these states in what is now mainland Greece. Each had a central town surrounded by many villages and farms. Each city-state viewed itself as a separate, independent nation.

A map of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding areas with enlarged area showing Ancient Greece.

This map shows Greece in the fourth century

bce

, along with many areas the Greeks colonized across the Mediterranean world.

Pericles also told his listeners why Athens would amaze later ages. First, he said, life in Athens was better than in other places. This was partly because it was the world’s first democracy. In a democracy, people are free to choose their leaders. Some other Greek states had become democracies, but not all. And, in Pericles’ view, they had much to learn from the Greek way.

Modern historians call the period in which Pericles lived ancient Greece’s Classical Age. They date it from about 500 to 323

bce