A day in the life of an ancient Athenian - Robert Garland

Summary

In 427 BCE, during the Peloponnesian War, Athens faces a crisis as the city endures a plague and internal conflict. Archias, a well-off Athenian, participates in the Ekklêsia, where citizens debate the fate of Mytilene, a city that revolted against Athenian rule. Initially, the assembly votes for execution and enslavement, but after a second heated debate, they narrowly decide to spare all but the revolt's leaders. A dramatic race ensues to countermand the initial order, highlighting the dynamic nature of Athenian democracy.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The Peloponnesian War is the central conflict of the script, occurring in 427 BCE between Athens and Sparta, involving their respective allies.
• 🏰 Athens is depicted as a city-state relying on its naval power and maritime empire, having abandoned the countryside to the Spartan army.
• 😷 The city of Athens is suffering from a plague that has significantly reduced its population, affecting the living conditions within the city walls.
• 🎨 Archias, a painter of high-class pottery, is portrayed as a well-off citizen interested in the city's affairs, while his wife Dexileia is limited by her inability to participate in politics or own property.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Archias and Dexileia are a couple with four children, three of whom have survived infancy, reflecting the harsh realities of child mortality in ancient Greece.
• 💸 The family's wealth allows Archias to plan for good matches for his daughters without financial strain, despite societal views on the burden of dowries.
• 👥 Slavery is a part of Athenian life, with the family owning Thracean slaves captured in war, illustrating the social structure of the time.
• 👦 Philon, a paidagōgos, is responsible for the education of Archias and Dexileia's son, showing the importance of education in ancient Greek society.
• 📜 The Ekklēsia, or citizens' assembly, is a key institution in Athenian democracy, where decisions are made by the native-born adult males who have completed military training.
• 🗣️ The script highlights a debate within the Ekklēsia about the fate of the people of Mytilene, who have revolted against Athenian rule, showcasing the democratic process in action.
• 🕊️🗡️ The initial decision of the assembly is to execute all Mytileneans and enslave their families, but this is later revised to only punish the revolt's leaders, reflecting a change in the democratic sentiment.

Q & A

What is the historical context of the Peloponnesian War mentioned in the script?

The Peloponnesian War took place between 431 and 404 BCE, involving the city-states of Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies. It was a significant conflict in the ancient Greek world.

Why did the Athenians move inside the walls surrounding their city and port during the war?

The Athenians moved inside the city walls because they could not match the Spartan army on land. They relied on their superior fleet and maritime empire for provisions.

What impact did the cramped conditions and a plague have on the Athenian population?

The cramped conditions and a recent plague had a devastating effect, wiping out a third of the Athenian population.

What was Archias' occupation and how did it affect his social status?

Archias was a painter of high-class pottery, which made him relatively well-off and allowed him to take a keen interest in the city's affairs.

Why were daughters considered a liability by many Athenian parents?

Daughters were seen as a liability because they required dowries to find husbands, which was an additional financial burden for the family.

What role did Thratta and Philon play in Archias' household?

Thratta was a slave from Thrace who did most of the housework and helped raise the children. Philon was a paidagôgos, responsible for supervising the son's education.

What was the purpose of the Ekklêsia, the assembly of citizens, in the script?

The Ekklêsia was the assembly where citizens gathered to discuss and make decisions on important matters, such as the fate of the people of Mytilene.

Where did the Ekklêsia take place and why was it significant?

The Ekklêsia took place on a hill west of the acropolis known as the Pnyx, which was significant due to its name meaning 'tightly packed', reflecting the large number of citizens attending.

What was the initial decision made by the Ekklêsia regarding the people of Mytilene?

The initial decision was to execute all the Mytileneans and enslave their women and children as punishment for their revolt against Athenian rule.

What was the outcome of the second debate on the fate of the Mytileneans?

The second debate resulted in a new resolution to execute only the leaders of the revolt, which narrowly passed.

Why was there a race against time after the second resolution was passed?

There was a race against time because a ship with orders to carry out the first resolution had already been dispatched, and another ship needed to quickly set sail to countermand the order.