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

TED-Ed
15 Mar 201805:02
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn 427 BCE, during the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War, Athens faces a devastating plague and internal strife. Archias, a well-off Athenian painter, and his wife Dexileia navigate the challenges of the time, with Archias attending the Ekklêsia, the assembly of citizens. The assembly debates the fate of Mytilene, a city that recently revolted against Athenian rule. Initially, the citizens vote to execute all Mytileneans and enslave their families. However, after Archias shares his wife's plea for mercy at a symposium, the council holds a second meeting, resulting in a revised decision to only execute the revolt's leaders. In a dramatic turn, a ship is sent to countermand the initial order, symbolizing the race of democracy against time.

Takeaways
  • 🏺 It's 427 BCE during the Peloponnesian War, a major conflict between Athens and Sparta.
  • 🏰 The Athenians, unable to match the Spartans on land, retreat within their fortified city and rely on their navy and maritime empire.
  • 😷 A plague has devastated Athens, killing a third of its population, but life continues despite the hardship.
  • 🎨 Archias, a well-off Athenian potter, is deeply involved in the city's affairs, while his wife Dexileia is limited by her gender in Athenian society.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Archias and Dexileia are fortunate that three of their four children have survived infancy, reflecting the high mortality rates of the time.
  • 💰 Archias is confident in his ability to provide dowries for his daughters without financial ruin, showcasing his relative wealth.
  • 🤝 The family owns slaves from Thrace, illustrating the social structure and norms of the time.
  • 📚 Philon, a paidagôgos, is responsible for the education of Archias and Dexileia's son, emphasizing the importance of literacy in Athenian society.
  • 🗣️ Archias attends the Ekklêsia, the assembly of citizens, where crucial decisions regarding the fate of Mytilene are debated.
  • 🏛️ The Pnyx, the location of the assembly, is aptly named for the large gatherings it hosts, reflecting the essence of Athenian democracy.
  • ⚖️ After heated debate, the citizens initially vote for a harsh punishment for Mytilene but reconsider after a second assembly, deciding to spare all but the revolt's leaders.
  • 🚢 A dramatic race against time unfolds as a ship is sent to countermand the initial order for execution, highlighting the urgency and fluidity of democratic decisions.
Q & A

  • In what year does the script take place?

    -The script takes place in 427 BCE.

  • What is the primary conflict described in the script?

    -The primary conflict is the Peloponnesian War, fought between the city-states of Athens and Sparta, along with their allies.

  • Why did the Athenians move inside the city walls?

    -The Athenians moved inside the city walls because they couldn't match the Spartan army on land and chose to rely 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 significant toll on the Athenian population, wiping out a third of them.

  • What is Archias' occupation and how does it affect his social status?

    -Archias is a painter of high-class pottery, which makes him relatively well-off and allows him to take a great interest in the city's affairs.

  • Why are daughters sometimes seen as a liability in Athenian society?

    -Daughters are seen as a liability because they require dowries to find husbands, which can be a financial burden for the family.

  • Who are Thratta and Philon, and what are their roles in Archias' household?

    -Thratta is a slave from Thrace who does most of the housework and helps raise the children. Philon is a paidagôgos, supervising the son's education and teaching him reading and writing.

  • What is the Ekklêsia and why is Archias attending a meeting of it?

    -The Ekklêsia is the assembly of citizens in Athens. Archias is attending a meeting because it is taking place at dawn and he is a citizen who participates in the city's affairs.

  • Where does the meeting of the Ekklêsia take place and what is the main topic of discussion?

    -The meeting takes place on a hill west of the acropolis known as the Pnyx. The main topic of discussion is what to do with the people of Mytilene, who have just been suppressed after a revolt against Athenian rule.

  • What is the final decision made by the citizens regarding the people of Mytilene?

    -Initially, the decision was to execute all the Mytileneans and enslave their women and children. However, after a second debate, the resolution changed to execute only the leaders of the revolt.

  • What urgent action is taken after the second resolution is passed?

    -After the second resolution is passed, another ship quickly sets sail to countermand the order of the first resolution, as a ship with orders to execute all Mytileneans had already been dispatched.

  • What does the symposium that Archias attends represent in Athenian culture?

    -The symposium represents a social gathering in Athenian culture where men would drink wine, discuss various topics, and engage in intellectual and philosophical conversations.

Outlines
00:00
🏺 The Struggles of Athens during the Peloponnesian War

The script begins by setting the scene in 427 BCE, during the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War, a significant internal conflict in the ancient Greek world. Athens and Sparta, along with their allies, are at war. The Athenians, unable to compete with the Spartans on land, have retreated within the city walls and rely on their superior fleet and maritime empire for provisions. The city is facing a crisis with a recent plague that has killed a third of its population. Despite the dire circumstances, life continues in Athens, and we are introduced to Archias, a well-off painter of high-class pottery, and his wife Dexileia, who is restricted from political and property ownership. They are fortunate that three of their four children have survived infancy, a time when many children did not. The family also owns slaves from Thrace and employs a paidagôgos for their son's education. Archias attends the Ekklêsia, the assembly of citizens, which is held at dawn at the Pnyx, a hill known for its capacity to hold large gatherings. The sole agenda item is the fate of the people of Mytilene, who have just been subdued after a revolt against Athenian rule.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War was a significant conflict in the ancient Greek world that took place between 431 and 404 BCE. It was fought between the city-states of Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies. In the context of the video, the war is in its fourth year, and it serves as the backdrop for the internal struggles and political decisions faced by the characters. The war's impact on Athens is evident in their reliance on their naval power and the hardships faced by the citizens due to the conflict.
💡Athens
Athens was one of the preeminent city-states in ancient Greece, renowned for its cultural and political achievements. In the video, Athens is depicted as a city under siege, with its citizens living within the protective walls due to the ongoing Peloponnesian War. The city's democratic institutions, such as the Ekklêsia, are central to the narrative, illustrating how the city's affairs were managed during times of crisis.
💡Sparta
Sparta was another powerful city-state in ancient Greece, known for its military prowess and strict social structure. In the context of the video, Sparta is Athens' primary adversary in the Peloponnesian War. The Spartan army's formidable reputation is highlighted, contrasting with the Athenians' naval strength and the strategic decisions made by the Athenians in response to their land-based weaknesses.
💡Ekklēsia
The Ekklēsia was the principal assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, where important political decisions were made. In the video, Archias attends a meeting of the Ekklēsia, which is depicted as a democratic gathering where citizens can voice their opinions on critical issues. The Ekklēsia is a key element in the narrative, showcasing the democratic process in action and the collective decision-making that shaped the city's fate.
💡Plague
The term 'plague' refers to a widespread infectious disease that has a significant impact on a population. In the video, a recent plague has wiped out a third of Athens' population, highlighting the additional challenges faced by the city during the war. This event underscores the harsh realities of life in Athens at the time and the multiple layers of crisis that the city's inhabitants had to contend with.
💡Archias
Archias is a character in the video who is a painter of high-class pottery and is relatively well-off. His role as a citizen of Athens allows him to participate in the Ekklēsia, reflecting the social stratification and the privileges of wealth in ancient Athenian society. Archias' perspective provides insight into the personal and political dimensions of life during the Peloponnesian War.
💡Dexileia
Dexileia is Archias' wife, who, despite being unable to participate in politics or own property, plays a significant role in the family's life. Her domestic responsibilities and her opinions on the political matters discussed by Archias offer a glimpse into the gender roles and the influence of women in Athenian households. Her character adds depth to the narrative by contrasting with Archias' public life.
💡Slavery
Slavery was a prevalent institution in ancient Greece, and the video mentions that Archias' family owns slaves, originally from Thrace. These slaves, like Thratta, perform essential tasks within the household and are part of the social fabric of Athens. The presence of slaves in the narrative underscores the social hierarchy and the economic dynamics of the time.
💡Paidagōgos
A paidagōgos was a slave or a hired servant in ancient Greece who accompanied a child to school and supervised their education. In the video, Philon serves as the paidagōgos for Archias' son, teaching him reading and writing. This role signifies the importance of education in Athenian society and the structured approach to a child's upbringing.
💡Agora
The agora was a central public space in ancient Greek city-states, serving as a marketplace and a gathering place for various civic activities. In the video, Archias goes to the agora to buy food and wine, and it is also where citizens gather to discuss the outcomes of the Ekklēsia. The agora represents the heart of civic life in Athens, where social and economic interactions took place.
💡Mytilene
Mytilene is a city on the island of Lesbos mentioned in the video as having recently revolted against Athenian rule. The debate over the fate of Mytileneans in the Ekklēsia is a central plot point, reflecting the harsh realities of war and the moral dilemmas faced by the Athenians. The Mytilene debate showcases the complexities of decision-making in a democracy during times of conflict.
💡Symposium
A symposium in ancient Greece was a social gathering where men would drink wine, engage in conversation, and enjoy intellectual and philosophical discussions. In the video, Archias attends a symposium where the men debate the day's events and the fate of Mytilene. The symposium serves as a setting for the characters to express their opinions and influence each other's views, highlighting the social and political discourse of the time.
Highlights

The Peloponnesian War, a major conflict between Athens and Sparta, is in its fourth year in 427 BCE.

Athenians retreat to the city and port, relying on their superior fleet and maritime empire for provisions.

A plague has killed a third of the Athenian population, highlighting the harsh conditions within the city walls.

Archias, a well-off painter, and his wife Dexileia represent Athenian family life amidst the war.

Dexileia's inability to participate in politics or own property reflects the gender inequality of the era.

Archias' confidence in providing dowries for his daughters without financial ruin shows his relative wealth.

The family's ownership of slaves from Thrace, captured in war, illustrates the social structure of Athens.

Philon, a paidagôgos, is responsible for the education of Archias' son, teaching him reading and writing.

The Ekklêsia, a meeting of citizens, takes place at dawn, symbolizing the democratic process in Athens.

Archias participates in the Ekklêsia, where the fate of Mytilene is debated.

A majority vote in the Ekklêsia favors executing all Mytileneans and enslaving their families.

The agora is the hub for discussions among citizens, reflecting the importance of public discourse.

Dexileia's opinion on the harshness of the decision to execute Mytileneans is a voice for compassion.

Archias' symposium with friends showcases the social and intellectual life of Athenian men.

The second Ekklêsia meeting results in a resolution to spare all but the revolt leaders, demonstrating a shift in public sentiment.

A dramatic race against time ensues as a ship is sent to countermand the initial execution order.

The story provides a snapshot of Athenian democracy, family life, and the human cost of war.

Transcripts

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Ancient GreecePeloponnesian WarAthensSpartaPlagueCitizenshipMarriage DowrySlaveryEkklesiaAgoraMytileneDemocracySymposiumHistorical Drama