GREEK BABIES: The ancient Greeks considered their children to be "youths" until they reached the age of 30! When a child was born to ancient Greek family, the father carried his child in a ritual dance around the household. Friends and relatives sent gifts. The family decorated the doorway of their home with a wreath of olives (for a boy) or a wreath of wool (for a girl).   GREEK GIRLS:  In Athens, as in most Greek city-states, with the exception of Sparta, girls stayed at home until they were married. Like their mother, they could attend certain festivals, funerals, and visit neighbors for brief periods of time. Their job was to help their mother, and to help in the fields, if necessary.  GREEK BOYS:  In most Greek city-states, when young, the boys stayed at home, helping in the fields, sailing, and fishing. At age 6 or 7, they went to school. Roles of Men, Women, and Children  Kids and School - see and hear  Toys and Pets Growing Up in Ancient Greece  Free Ancient Greece Presentations in PowerPoint format Return to Ancient Greek Daily Life  To learn more about Ancient Greece, click on Apollo