Forward:
Most Athenians did not have the type of job that always tied them up with
specific daily working hours. The menial (labourers) jobs were done by slaves.
Citizens often employed free men, who were not citizens, to manage their
estates or businesses. Thus, the citizen had very few "job"
responsibilities to carry out. , They often did not have to "work" a
full day. Without their slaves and non-citizen managers this privileged class
would not have been able to live as follows ........
Typical
Day For a Prosperous Citizen
A. Morning: The
citizen would rise at dawn and have a light breakfast consisting of bread dipped
in weak wine and fruit or cheese. He
might then go visit his country estate, if he was a landholder or to his place
of business to supervise for a time or go to the agora (marketplace) to do
business, socialize or hear the latest gossip.
B. Midday: Around
noon he would head home for a light meal and perhaps a rest period or family
time during the heat of the day.
C. Afternoons: Most
citizens went to one or more of the huge public gymnasiums. Since most citizens
were inactive in their jobs, lacking physical activity, if the citizen wanted to
exercise to stay fit, to look good, and be ready for warfare if necessary they
used the gym.
The gymnasiums were large recreational areas in the city. They had
changing rooms, exercise rooms, playing fields, swimming pools, cleaning
facilities, lecture and display rooms, libraries, reading rooms and common rooms
for relaxation and discussion. There was even a restaurant if someone wanted
to stay for the evening meal. At the gymnasium, young men could attend
and exercise vigorously either at individual or team sports.
As they became older they could decrease their physical activity and
increase their social and cultural interests.
Obviously they wanted a well-rounded life.
D. Evening: Do not
get the wrong impression. Most Athenians lived a simple life without much
luxury, self-indulgence or "partying" but .......
For the evenings, the citizens might attend or host an evening banquet
called a symposium. The word means
"drinking together" but the purpose of the get together might be
business, entertainment, gourmet cooking, learning something (as from a great
expert or speaker), or meeting new and interesting people.
Most went to bed at an early hour.