THE ANCIENT GREEK CITY-STATE OF ATHENS  Athenians thought of themselves as the shining star of the Greek city-states. They were famed for their literature, poetry, drama, theatre, schools, buildings, and government.  Before the Greek dark ages, Athens was a small village, home to a tribe of Ionian people. After the Greek dark ages, Athens grew rapidly until Athens was one of the two most powerful city-states in the ancient Greek world. (The other was Sparta.)  The Athenian were very different from the ancient Spartans.  The Spartans were famed for their military strength.  Athenians were famed for their commitment to the arts and sciences.     The Greeks believed that each city-state in ancient Greece had a god or a goddess in charge of it, their special patron. For Athens, the patron was Athena, goddess of wisdom. Perhaps because Athena was their patron, Athenians put a great deal of emphasis on education.   Girls learned at home from their mothers. They learned how to run a home, and how to be good wives and mothers.  Boys were educated quite differently. Until age 6 or 7, boys were taught at home by their mothers. From 7-14, boys attended a day school outside the home. There, they memorized Homeric poetry and learned to play the lyre. They learned drama, public speaking, reading, writing, math, and perhaps even how to play the flute. After middle school, they went to a four year high school and learned more about math, science, and government. At 18, they attended two years of military school. There was just cause for Athens to be proud of its system of education for its citizens.  Each city-state chose its own form of government. Most Greek city-states were ruled by kings. In Athens, citizens (the men) met each week to discuss problems. They worked on solutions.  The men of Athens experimented with government. For about 100 years, Athens was a direct democracy!   Athena, Poseidon, and Athens (myth) The Founding of Athens City of Athens for Kids   Athens (British Museum)  Athens Thinks Twice  Life in Athens The Court of Athens (Justice System)  Socrates Greek Democracy in Athens  See Also: Daily Life  Explore Ancient Greece Ancient Greek Gods & Goddesses Greek Myths  Greek Games  Greek Powerpoints  Greek Video Clips  Ancient Greece Clipart Ancient Greece for Kids  Lesson Plans for Teachers  All Rights Reserved    Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Have a great year!