Definitions
Define the word “ancient” (page 56).
Ancient refers to something from a time more than 2500 years ago.
Which people were considered citizens in ancient Athens? (page 58).
Citizens were children of parents who were born in Athens. Only male citizens could participate in governing the city.
When a girl was born into a family, what did the parents do after her birth? (page 59).
The parents attached a piece of wool to the front door of the house, indicating her future as a homemaker.
When a boy was born into a family, what did the parents do after his birth? (page 59).
When a boy was born, his family attached an olive branch to the front door of the house.
How often did the assembly meet? (page 64).
Assembly meetings took place about 40 times a year, or every 8 to 10 days.
Define the word “tyrant” (page 57).
Tyrants are rulers who seize power and govern in a harsh, cruel way.
Which people were considered metics in ancient Athens? (page 58).
Metics were residents of Athens who had been born outside of the city-state. They were not allowed to own land and couldn’t become citizens.
What did mothers teach their daughters at home? (page 60).
Some girls were taught to read and write, but they mostly learned household skills like spinning, weaving, and childcare.
What did boys learn in school? (page 59).
Boys learned reading, writing, and math as well as music and literature.
What kinds of decisions were made during the Assembly? (page 64).
They would debate matters of war and peace, treaties with other city-states, religion, and taxes.
Define the word “epic” (page 59).
Epics are long poems that tell stories about legendary heroes.
Which people were considered slaves in ancient Athens? (page 58).
Many slaves were people who had been taken prisoner when their city-state was attacked by the Athenians. Slaves couldn’t become citizens.
When a girl turned ____, her father chose a husband for her and she went to live in his house (page 60).
15.
Skills in sports prepared boys for service in the army, which began at age ___. At age ___, they were ready to take their place as adults in Athenian society (page 60).
18 and 20.
What is a direct democracy? (page 65).
In a direct democracy, people vote directly to make decisions rather than having representatives.
Define the word “city-state” (page 56).
City-states are independent communities with their own government, laws, and army.
Which people were not allowed to participate in the Athenian democracy?
Women, metics, and slaves couldn’t participate in the democracy.
Every woman had a ____ ________, either her father, brother, or husband, who was in charge of her life (page 60).
Male guardian.
How did men spend most of their days? (page 60).
Men spent most of their days outside the home in the company of other men working, discussing politics, and voting.
How were council positions chosen and how many times could a citizen serve on the Council? (page 67).
Council positions were chosen through a lottery. Citizens could serve on the Council only TWICE.
Define the word “lottery” (page 67).
In a lottery, names are drawn by chance from a large number of choices.
Which group (citizens, metics, or slaves) had the most power and why?
Male citizens had the most power because they could own land and participate in the democracy.
Did women have the “right” to own anything? (page 60).
Although women had the “right” to own clothing, jewelry, slaves, and even land, they weren’t allowed to sell these things.
What did the wool and olive wreaths SUGGEST about how boys and girls were valued in Greek society?
Girls were less valuable than boys because boys could vote and participate in the assembly.
If Athenians felt that they had been wronged by someone, they would bring their complaint to a ___________ (page 68).
Magistrate.