This presentation looks at the art of ancient Athens, and the information that art provides about the lives of the people who lived there.

1. The People of
Ancient Athens
Looking at Athenian Art

2. Slavery
This slave girl was expected to
entertain her owner by dancing for
him.

3. Slavery
Slaves often acted as nannies, caring
for the children of rich Athenian
families.

4. Slavery
This amphora shows slaves gathering
olives. Athenian slaves were often
employed in agricultural tasks.

5. Slavery
Slaves were often women taken as
booty of war.

6. Women
This is a Black-Figure vase dating to the late sixth or early fifth century B.C.E. The vase shows a woman drawing water at a fountain
as the women behind her carry water jugs on their heads. This type of vase is called a hydria and was often used to hold water.

7. Athenian women at the
water fountain
I wonder what they’re talking about?

8. Women and
Marriage
This is a Red-Figure vase dating to
the fifth century B.C.E. It shows a
groom leading a bride by the hand
while another woman adjusts the
bride's clothes. This type of vase is
called a pynxis and was often used to
store toilet articles such as women's
cosmetics.

9. Women and
Marriage
This is a Red-Figure vase dating
tothe mid fifth century B.C.E. It
shows several women presenting gifts
to a bride on the day after her
wedding. This type of vase is called a
lebes gamikos and was a typical
wedding gift for a wealthy bride. The
bride, who is seated, holds a lebes
gamikos on her lap.

10. Women and
Childbirth
Late 5th century BCE marble grave
stele. A maidservant holds a baby out
to its mother to say farewell. This
might be a gravestone for a mother
who died in childbirth.

11. Soldiers
Hoplite soldiers used to fight
arranged in rows – marching
shoulder to shoulder with
their shields arranged to form
a continuous barrier that
prevented enemy spears and
arrows from getting through
the wall of shields.

12. Themistocles
Due to the potential threat posed by the
Persians from aiding the Ionians,
Themistocles convinced the Athenians to
renovate their harbors into fortified naval
bases as well as build 200 additional
triremes. His intelligent anticipation as well
as his actions sat well with the Athenians as
the Persians did eventually attack mainland
Greece. He served as a very important and
popular General for the Navy during the fist
and second Persian invasion. Themistocles
was eventually ostracized in 471 where he
defected to Asia Minor.

13. Themistocles
These ostraka all have Themistocle’s name written on them.

14. The Trireme
Perhaps the most interesting aspect
pertaining to the men who composed
the crew of the Athenian triremes
was the fact that the ships were an
extension of their democratic beliefs.
The rich and poor rowed alongside
each other.

15. Athenian
Citizens
Athenian citizens spent much of their
day debating the issues facing their
city-state. What do you imagine
they’re talking about?

16. Men gathered at the
Assembly

17. Education in
Athens
In this depiction, a student stands
before his teacher, who is holding an
open scroll. The student appears to
be reciting, while his teacher checks
his accuracy. What is the boy on the
left doing?

18. Athenian girls
This small terracotta sculpture depicts
two adolescent girls playing the game
of "knucklebones”. The game was
usually played like the modern game of
"jacks": one threw the knucklebones in the
air and attempted to catch as many as
possible. They were also used like modern
"dice." Each of the four long sides of the
knucklebone had a value: the convex side
was worth 3, the concave 4, and the two flat
sides 1 and 6. Most knucklebones were
made out of the actual ankle bones of sheep
or goats, but fancier ones were made of
ivory, bronze, or terracotta..

19. Metics
Most workshop owners were metics.
Metics could also rent land from
Athenian citizens or be employed by
them as farm workers.

20. Your task:
Choose a piece of ancient Athenian art from this
presentation or elsewhere. Select one of the people
depicted in the art. Think abut their life and what they
might do every day. How do you imagine they feel about
their life? What events are happening at this period in
time? Create a monologue that you will perform to a
small group of friends that demonstrates your
understanding of life in ancient Athens. If you choose a
piece of art that is not in this presentation, please check
with your teacher first before proceeding.