Greeks have always fascinated me,whether it be Aristotle, Hippocrates, or Alexander the Great. Hippocrates has always been my favorite because he is one of the early physician. He also made the Hippocratic Oath which every medical student takes before becoming a doctor. He also brought new ideas during his times because greeks used to think that diseases and plaques were caused whenever a god was displeased or angry. However, Hippocrates was against this popular belief of the time and believed that there was some medical explanation behind every disease.
I also studied Hippocrates because i am fond of medicine and it is my passion. You can help humanity in many ways, and to me going in health care profession is one way.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Greek Citizenship: Status of Men, Women and Slavery
Role of Men
Men were the most important figures during Greek times. Only men were born to be considered the Greek citizens. They wore special clothes and the richer men wore fancier garments. Men had the ultimate charge and control at home. They were dealt with great respect. Men were also given most of the responsibilities. They worked as businessmen, politicians, and farmers. At home, the men had absolute power. They had the authority to kill their slaves. Men were considered the leading figures in Greece.
In Sparta, only Spartiates (military professionals) were allowed to vote. Since Sparta was a military city state, most men served in the army. At birth, if an infant was considered weak or incapable of meeting social values, he/she was left out to die. A healthy infant was then sent for harsh military training until he turned 30, after that he was allowed to marry and have a family. In contrast, Athenians were not cruel to the babies and even allowed the weak babies to live on. In both city states, boys of high class order were given the best education. Greek men were the prominent figures in Greece and influenced the political life, education, and the daily life.
Men were the most important figures during Greek times. Only men were born to be considered the Greek citizens. They wore special clothes and the richer men wore fancier garments. Men had the ultimate charge and control at home. They were dealt with great respect. Men were also given most of the responsibilities. They worked as businessmen, politicians, and farmers. At home, the men had absolute power. They had the authority to kill their slaves. Men were considered the leading figures in Greece.
In Sparta, only Spartiates (military professionals) were allowed to vote. Since Sparta was a military city state, most men served in the army. At birth, if an infant was considered weak or incapable of meeting social values, he/she was left out to die. A healthy infant was then sent for harsh military training until he turned 30, after that he was allowed to marry and have a family. In contrast, Athenians were not cruel to the babies and even allowed the weak babies to live on. In both city states, boys of high class order were given the best education. Greek men were the prominent figures in Greece and influenced the political life, education, and the daily life.
Role of women
Women in Greece stayed mostly at home. One of their responsibilities was to stay home and do house work. Women also supervised all the slaves at the home. It was very rare to see women in the market place or outside the home. The role of women was to be like a perfect mother, daughter and wife. However, women in Athens were dealt differently than the Spartan women. In Athens, they were not allowed to participate in most of the activities outside home. Women were not allowed to take part in any political activity and therefore they did not participate in the political life. In
Greece, the father controlled them before marriage and husband controlled them after the marriage. It was considered highly important for the women to stay a virgin before marriage. Marriage was done by the women’s father and they did not have much say to choose a good life partner. However, women were not always suppressed in the Greek culture. The attitude towards women started to change after 400 BCE. Statues of women were built and they were somewhat allowed to participate in athletics but not in the Olympics. Women were allowed to participate in religious activities, funerals, where they played very prominent public roles. In Sparta, women were given more freedom because of the fact that they gave birth to strong military leaders and soldiers. Women in Sparta could participate in athletics and other activities. In Sparta, women had the right own property but with limitations. In Athens, as a part of upbringing to girls, home was their school, and mothers were their teachers. They were mostly taught music, house hold work, and how to be a good mother and wife. In Sparta, women had the
Women in Greece stayed mostly at home. One of their responsibilities was to stay home and do house work. Women also supervised all the slaves at the home. It was very rare to see women in the market place or outside the home. The role of women was to be like a perfect mother, daughter and wife. However, women in Athens were dealt differently than the Spartan women. In Athens, they were not allowed to participate in most of the activities outside home. Women were not allowed to take part in any political activity and therefore they did not participate in the political life. In
Greece, the father controlled them before marriage and husband controlled them after the marriage. It was considered highly important for the women to stay a virgin before marriage. Marriage was done by the women’s father and they did not have much say to choose a good life partner. However, women were not always suppressed in the Greek culture. The attitude towards women started to change after 400 BCE. Statues of women were built and they were somewhat allowed to participate in athletics but not in the Olympics. Women were allowed to participate in religious activities, funerals, where they played very prominent public roles. In Sparta, women were given more freedom because of the fact that they gave birth to strong military leaders and soldiers. Women in Sparta could participate in athletics and other activities. In Sparta, women had the right own property but with limitations. In Athens, as a part of upbringing to girls, home was their school, and mothers were their teachers. They were mostly taught music, house hold work, and how to be a good mother and wife. In Sparta, women had the (image 7)
right to earn an education. Spartans gave more education to girls. Spartans women were given more freedom as compared to Athenian women in terms of education, athletics and daily life routines.
Slavery
The entire economical Greek life was dependant on slave labor. There were several ways one could become or end up being a slave. Prisoners of war were lowered down in class level to slaves. A father who did not wish to take the responsibility of his infant’s upbringing, deserted the infant. Infant either died, or if rescued, became a slave. People, who were dying from shelter and hunger, sold themselves to a master in return of some bread and a bed. Few doctors in
ancient Greece agreed to treat the desperate cases, only if the patients upon recovery would turn themselves as slaves to the doctor. Slaves were less harshly treated in Athens as compared to any other Greek city state. Some were even given the ranks of police officers. In Sparta, slaves were expected to give ½ of their produce to the land owners. In Greece, slaves had no rights and an owner could kill a slave. Any slave who tried to run away was severely punished. They were not considered as citizens. Slaves had (image 8) a harsh life and were considered not more than simple objects.
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