Ancient Greek Men, Ancient Athenian Men's Jobs, lifestyle

The role of men in ancient Greece was one of power, prestige, and honor. Ancient Greek Men had the dominant role in public life in ancient Greece. They were engaged in politics and public events. They ran the government and spent a great deal of their time away from home. Societal status was based on the quality of one’s character knowledge, strength and integrity-rather than on one’s wealth, political position or ancestry.

Daily life of Ancient Greek men

The Greeks did feel that men and women were very different and naturally opposed to each other. Men, in the Greek view, were rational, thinking, stable, normal creatures, while women were irrational, hysterical, and dangerous.

The men spent a great deal of time in the works of the government and politics. The family was not a place for love but a duty for them and they indulged in many extramarital affairs and many cases with underage boys whom they mentored.

They took part in drinking competitions and parties which were very common in ancient Greece. There were separate rooms in their house for drinking with their friends. They indulged in many baord games and gambling using dices which were very popular in ancient Greece.

War was another important activity in the life of men. It was a recurring and almost annual event. The preparation of battles was done in the gymnasium where males used to practice fighting and do physical training, enhancing their physique for war and even and even and athletics. Athletes were greatly respected in greek society and even were built for Olympic champions. This made the males work great on their physique and in sporting activities.

When not involved in politics, the men spent time in the fields, overseeing or working the crops, sailing, hunting, in manufacturing or in trade. For fun, in addition to drinking parties, the men enjoyed wrestling, horseback riding, and the famous Olympic Games. When the men entertained their male friends, at the popular drinking parties, their wives and daughters were not allowed to attend.

An aristocrat also has their estate and activities to look after. In many cases, they even took part in the administration of their states which took a large part of their lives. They led lavish life with a lot of slaves to attend to. While a poor man had it harder and had to do a lot to earn a living.

Role of Men in family

The men were supposed to be the head of the family, with the females expected to serve the Male head of the family. He had the right to the best and most of the resources of the family. he welfare of the family was a man’s concern in ancient Greece. Females were under the protection of the males and they were not allowed to go out without the protection of men in the family. Their marriage was also the responsibility of the men. He had to look for a match for the girls and also provide for the dowry.

He was supposed to protect and take care of his family, providing them with food, clothing, and the financial resources to survive. The education and upbringing of their children were also supposed to be the male of the family as a child was supposed to be the leading light of the family in the future.

Role of men in society

A great responsibility of the men in society was to participate in politics and participate in popular deliberations. The participation of adult males in the army was a compulsory issue in ancient Greece. In Athens, one could have the right to vote and be a citizen if he did not serve in the army for once in his life.

So war and battles were a big part of men’s life in ancient Greece. The sure way to gain prestige and popularity in ancient Greece was to show their valor in war. So they used to practice different ways to fight like swords, and spears for their lives.

Another important thing was sports. Athletes, especially Olympians were greatly respected in ancient Greek society. Males from a very young age used to practice in the gymnasium to keep their fitness and excel in sports. Statues of Olympic winners are said to have been built making sports a very important part of life.

Lastly, art and culture were greatly valued in ancient Greece and they were mostly expected from men. They used to learn music, and literature from a young age, and as learned men, producing music, dramas, and theories was a huge role for men in ancient Greek society.

Ancient Greek Men clothing

The most common clothing for men in ancient Greece was a chiton. It was a knee-length cloth made of linen that was worn pleated. It was a comfortable cloth and the most common especially in elite circles.

Another blanket-sized cloth known as chalmys was worn by the men in a war which was rectangular in shape and made of wool. It could also be used as a shield by wrapping it around the arm.

A large cloak known as Himmation was worn by them in winter over their chlamys or chiton. It was warm and protected then from the cold. They even wore a round wide hat known as petasos, to protect them from the sun in summer. But these clothes were mostly worn by wealthy men as wool was a very costly item and had to be imported from foreign lands. So the normal Greek men working in fields in the Mediterranean heat preferred just a loincloth.

Ancient Greek Men Hairstyle

In ancient Greece, men generally had long hair. The boys in their childhood were supposed to keep very short hair but as they grew into adults they kept their hair long and then tied them into knots. The hairs were also supposed to be a thing of pride. The spartans actually prided themselves on their hair and considered it a cheap jewelry.

Ancient Greek Men shoes

The ancient Greeks always preferred to go barefoot while walking and some even went barefoot their entire lives. The poor could not afford them and it was considered a luxury. Even wealthy men went barefoot in their homes. But when they had to wear it like in war they wore sandals made of leather or sometimes boots made of leather.

Ancient Athenian Men’s Jobs

The man was in charge of the family and the house. Most men worked during the day as businessmen or farmers. When they were at home, they were treated with great respect. Even during dinner, the men laid on couches and were fed and entertained by the slaves while the women and children ate in another room.

When not involved in politics, the men spent time in the fields, overseeing or working the crops, sailing, hunting, in manufacturing or in trade.In addition to drinking parties, the men enjoyed wrestling, horseback riding, and the famous Olympic Games. The Olympic Games were for males only.

Ancient Greek Men Habbits

Men in ancient Greece had short hair and wore a beard. Barbershops first became popular in ancient Greece. They were an important part of the social life of many ancient Greek males. In the barber shop, the men exchanged political and sports news, philosophy, and gossip. They wore a chiton similar to the one worn by women, but knee-length or shorter. An exotic (a short chiton fastened on the left shoulder) was worn for exercise, horse riding, or hard labor.

The Ancient Greece Men were radically different from the women. Men, in the Greek view, were rational, thinking, stable, normal creatures, while women were irrational, hysterical, and dangerous.Last, and most important of all, passion and erotic love between two adult men were generally considered unusual and held up to ridicule. Homosexual love in Greece was love between a man and a boy. Relationships with overly young boys have frowned upon them as they are now.