Greek Life and Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is a place where all to Gods and Goddesses love. They live together in harmony and most of the time in peace.
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games took place in Olympia. These games took place every four years, in either August or September. They started in 776 B.C. and ended in A.D. 393.The Olympics were held to honor the mighty God, Zeus. These games often lasted five days, it included the athletic events, religious ceremonies and banquets. Only men were allowed to compete in these games, and only men could watch. There was absolutely no women allowed, except the Goddesses. The athletic games included; Foot-races, pentathlon, wrestling, boxing, pankration, foot--race wearing armour, four horse and single horse chariot races. Only awards were given to the victors, there was no second or third place awards. The prize for winning was a crown made of olive leaves. These events were very violent, sometimes resulting in death. Today however, the Olympics are a co-ed event. These modern day Olympics were started in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin. The Greek Olympics were somewhat international, but today the Olympics are international and almost every country participates.
This is Olympia, where the old Olympic Games took place.
Fashion and Food of Olympus
The fashion of Olympia was very different from what we wear today. Today we have a huge variety of clothing, whereas back then they didn't have much of a variety. There were two major staples of fashion in Olympia, Doric chiton and Lonic chiton. They are like tunics, or large pieces of fabric that you fold multiple ways and times. The men usually wore a smaller version of the women's clothing. These tunics were made of wool. If you were rich you could get them colored yellow, brown, red, or blue and could be decorated with rich embroideries. The same situation applies for food, there is a large variety today, whereas back then there was very little choice for what you ate. Most people ate wheat and barley products. People who ate fish were very lucky, because it was rare and very expensive. People who rose farm animals often ate them, like pork, goose, and chicken. Food was often flavored with honey, wine, olive oil, herbs, and spices. Many men were included in a feast called Symposia. Women and children could not attend this event. Symposia often had entertainers and acrobatics involved.
Education in Ancient Times
Education in Ancient times was only for males. The boys started school at about age 6 or 7, they had to go to three different schools, sport, music, and reading and writing. At the athletic school, they learned javelin, discus, long jump, running, boxing, and wrestling. So they could learn how to participate in the Olympic Games. At the music school they learned how to play the Lyre, a small version of a harp. They also learned how to sing along with the Lyre. At the third school, they learned reading, writing, and arithmetic. If they could not afford going to school, they had to get a paidagogoi. There was only one per family, and they often became very close to the children they were teaching. They often studied literature, like poems by Homer. The poems were written to teach them right from wrong. IF they were very rich they were taught painting and drawing. IF the children misbehaved, they were beaten with a sandal.. Girls were rarely taught literature and writting, they learned how to do housework.
Athenian Politics and Government
The government of ancient Athens, was a Direct Democracy, when very few people are elected to represent one city. Athens had 6,000 representatives that they elected. Athens was ran as a Direct Democracy from 508 BC until 322 BC. Only men over the age of 20 were allowed to be part of the direct democracy, there was absolutely no women of children. They held a meeting at least 40 times a year. They often had times rounding up the people to vote for the terms. in court they drew people out of lottery, random. the jury was made of men over the age of 30. The men decided on secret ballot and the majority rule took over. Punishment was either death or a fine, of money.