as the overwhelming reality of their lives. Education in schools in ancient Athens was at first limited to aristocratic boys however, by the 4th century, all 18-year-old males spent two years in a gymnasium, a state school devoted to the overall physical and intellectual development of a young man. More advanced education in philosophy, mathematics, logic and rhetoric was available to the aristocracy in highly select gymnasia like the Academy of Plato and the Lycaeum of Aristotle. Although girls in ancient Greece received no formal education in the literary arts, many of them were taught to read and write informally at home.The sunny climate of Athens made the living conditions out doors pleasant and for this reason Athenian men often saw a dwelling as a house, not a home, leaving early in the morning for work or relaxation. On an ordinary day, the average Athenian man rose early in the morning and dressed in the commonly worn knee length woollen garment called a chiton. After a small breakfast of coarse bread dipped in wine, the average citizen might go to the market of Agora, the central meeting place of the city, before the beginning of the work day. The market was a large bustling area, separated into sections of different items. It was also the civic centre of the city where much of the official business took place, for example meetings of the council and worship of the gods. At midday a light lunch would be had at home and the afternoon was often spent at the gymnasium where men wrestled, boxed and ran as well as found time for a serious discussion with other citizens. Dinner was usually eaten as a family and would consist of foods such as olives, vegetables, fish, cheese, bread, apples or figs, honey for sweetening and eaten with wine and water. Meat was usually too expensive to be enjoyed by most people. If Athenian men wished to entertain friends they were usually invited to dinner in the evening lead by serious discussion. In ...
