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What was life like for Athenian citizens?
The Athenian elite lived modestly and without great luxuries compared to the elites of other ancient societies. Wealth and land ownership was not typically concentrated in the hands of a few people. In fact, 71-73% of the citizen population owned 60-65% of the land.
What was Greece like in 400 BC?
Most homes were modest, windowless and wrapped around a courtyard. Furniture was rare. People spent the majority of the day out of doors enjoying the mild Mediterranean climate. The Greek diet was also modest, based largely on wine and bread.
How were citizens in Athens treated?
Male citizens in Athens could vote on all the decisions that affected the city and serve on juries. However, democracy was not open to everyone. Citizen women and children were not allowed to vote. Slaves and foreigners living in Athens (known as metics) were banned from participating in government.
What happens to Athens in the 400s BCE?
By the mid-400s BCE, he had consolidated his power as the leader of Athens, and he embarked on his policies to improve the city. His plans included rebuilding temples destroyed during the Persian Wars. Ultimately, though, his foreign policy put Athens on a path toward confrontation with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War.
What is the meaning of 400 BC?
B.C. stands for “before Christ,” meaning before Jesus was born. So 400 B.C. means 400 years before Jesus was born. A.D. comes from the Latin “anno Domini,” which means “in the year of the Lord.” A.D. applies to years following the birth of Jesus.
What happened 490 BC?
The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. was part of the first Persian invasion of Greece. His strategy was victorious over the Persians’ strength, and the victory of “the Marathon men” captured the collective imagination of the Greeks.
Who was a citizen in Athens?
The Athenian definition of “citizens” was also different from modern-day citizens: only free men were considered citizens in Athens. Women, children, and slaves were not considered citizens and therefore could not vote. Each year 500 names were chosen from all the citizens of ancient Athens.
What was the situation in Athens in 508 BC and why?
The Athenian Revolution (508–507 BCE) was a revolt by the people of Athens that overthrew the ruling aristocratic oligarchy, establishing the almost century-long self-governance of Athens in the form of a participatory democracy – open to all free male citizens.
What caused Athens Golden Age?
The age began with the unlikely defeat of a vast Persian army by badly outnumbered Greeks and it ended with an inglorious and lengthy war between Athens and Sparta. Military victory over the Persians, largely achieved under Athenian leadership, set the stage.
What was the population of ancient Greece in the 400s?
The rise and decline of population in ancient Greece: From 800 B.C. to 400 B.C, the population in ancient Greece rose. This was due to healthy standards of living and an increase of medical inventions. It is estimated that by 400 B.C, ancient Greece had a population of 13 million.
Why did people from other countries live in Athens?
Athens was one of the most thriving city-states in all of Ancient Greece. one of the reasons for this is that it was not only a place where the citizens of Athens dwelled, but foreign citizens were encouraged to live here, as well. Referred to as metics, this segment of the ancient Athenian population accounted half of the total population.
What happened in 480 BC in Athens?
In 480 BC, the Persian general Xerxes defeated Athenians. Continuously, Themistocles managed to drive him to a naval battle near Salamina island, where the Greeks demolished the Persian fleet (Naval Battle of Salamina). Two years later, Themistocles fortified Athens and in 476 BC General Cimon built the Long Walls reinforcing the city of Athens.
How did ancient Athens change over time?
Ancient Athens is the European city with the most impressive and most interesting changing during the years 800-500 BC. Various alterations took place slowly and, as centuries went by, Athens grew in a powerful city as far as its commercial activities are concerned.