21st Century Athenian Education Essay

In the 5th century BCE education for Athenian citizens was very different to education in the 21st century CE. Education was important as students were taught a variety of things to help them prepare for peace and war. Although girls were taught differently to boys and rich differently to poor, education was highly valued in the Athenian society.

Education was highly valued throughout the Athenian society and was aimed at students’ physical, mental and moral qualities. The purpose of education for Athenian citizens was to train males in the arts which prepared them for both peace and war in the city, for females it was to teach them how to be a housewife and an interesting partner for men that were able to afford them. Although physical education was important for boys, it was literature that was the centre of schooling. It was

believed that literature was a key part of one’s individuality which made up most of their reputation. Intellectual teachings and physical teachings were both important in Athenian’s education as it was required that those who would run the state had to be well educated in all areas. Education in the 5th century for males was based around battle needs whereas for females education was based around being mothers.

The learning environment for Athenian citizens varies for boys and girls. A girl would be taught at home by their parents, slave or pedagogue. Up until the age of 6 or 7 boys however were taught at home by their mother or if they were a wealthy family they would be tutored and put under the care of a male slave. After that they went to elementary up until the age of 13 or 14. The schools were small and run by a private teacher who would only teach a few students. After elementary school the poorer boys went onto an apprenticeship in trade while the wealthier began secondary school. Boys attended permanent secondary school or received schooling from philosopher teachers until the age of 18. After secondary school boys could go onto doing two years of ephebic training where they were then allowed to serve in the army. Although girls did get educated, the education system was mainly based around and for boys.

Athenian girls’ education was mainly based around working as a housewife where they were taught skills such as spinning, weaving and housekeeping. Wealthy families also had their girls educated where they would learn how to read, write and play music. Some physical education was also included in their curriculum. However, during a boy’s education at home they were taught basic principles but as they moved into elementary education the teachings became more varied. Elementary education consisted of the teachings of reading and writing which were taught in unison followed by counting and drawing. Books were very expensive and rare so once students could write, teachers would read aloud passages from Homer and the students would have to write them down, memorise and the act out later on. During elementary school, boys also participated in gymnastics. While the younger boys were taught by a paidotribe to move gracefully, do calisthenics and play ball as well as other games, the older boys were learning in the gymnasium to do running, jumping, boxing, wrestling, discus and javelin. Following elementary school was secondary where students learnt subjects like biology, chemistry, geometry, astronomy, meteorology and learnt how to write and speak effectively. After all education boys began their ephebic training which was two years of military training where they were taught how to fight effectively. Education for Athenian

boys was very well rounded in the 5th century as many things were learnt which meant there was involvement for boys in all parts of society.

Education would tend to be different for boys and girls but also for the rich and poor.

In Athens there were two types of education that students were separated into depending if they were rich or poor, girl or boy. Formal education was provided by paid tutors in public schools and tended to be mainly for the boys in rich families but sometimes the poor. However, informal education was mainly for poor families and girls and was provided by unpaid teachers in non-public environments. Girls received little formal education and were only taught about being a mother while boys had formal education being taught a variety of different things as they were needed for the leadership of the states. All boys however were taught various subjects and had formal education but when the poor reached the age of 13 or 14 their formal education ended whereas the wealthier continued. Although, some poor children were unable to receive any education as their families would not have enough money to afford to send them to school so they stayed home to help with duties. The type of education that a student received was highly influenced by their social

class.