Randolph, Joanne. Living and Working in Ancient Greece. Part of the Back in Time series. 2018. 48p. ISBN 978-0-7660-8971-6. Available at 938 LIV on the library shelves.
Despite all of our technology and advanced materials, the lives of ancient Greeks was remarkably similar to ours today. They actively participated in politics, attended sporting events, and went to entertainment venues to enjoy the latest plays and musical acts. Growing up in Ancient Greece, children would play cooperative and competitive games as well as with toys. They helped with household chores and received some education, more for boys than for girls. Home life was centered on the family, with dwellings featurings an indoor courtyard and rooms with different functions.
Life could also be hard in Ancient Greece. Slavery was accepted, and the area was controlled by multiple city-states whose power didn’t reach much beyond their borders. Only freeborn males could become citizens and participate in the political life of their city. Women’s roles were limited to their house.
Many famous Greek philosophers influenced Western thought and Western society, from Plato to Aristotle. Greek science remained cutting edge until it was forgotten in the Middle Ages, but spurred on a renaissance in Europe when this information once again became available, this time through Islam and Arabic preservation of ancient knowledge.
Readers interested in the impact had on our world today will appreciate the research and the descriptions that went into making this book a vivid reminder of the past.
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