Question 1

What was the role of women in ancient Greek society?

Accepted Answer

In ancient Athens, women were largely confined to the home and had few legal rights. They managed the household, raised children, and participated in religious festivals, but could not vote, own property, or attend public assemblies. In Sparta, however, women had more freedom—they could own land and receive physical training, as they were expected to produce strong warriors. Roman women had greater legal rights than Greek women, including the ability to own property and run businesses, but they were still under the authority of their father or husband (paterfamilias).

Question 2

How did slavery work in ancient Rome?

Accepted Answer

Slavery was integral to the Roman economy. Slaves were acquired through warfare, trade, or birth. They worked in households, farms, mines, and workshops. Some slaves, especially those with skills, could earn money (peculium) and eventually buy their freedom (manumission). Freedmen (liberti) became Roman citizens but still owed duties to their former masters. However, conditions varied greatly: agricultural slaves often faced harsh treatment, while urban domestic slaves might have better lives. The revolt of Spartacus (73-71 BC) highlights the brutality of the system.

Question 3

What is the difference between patricians and plebeians?

Accepted Answer

Patricians were the aristocratic families in early Rome who held political power and religious offices. Plebeians were the common people, including farmers, artisans, and merchants. Over time, plebeians fought for equal rights through the Conflict of the Orders (494-287 BC), gaining the right to elect tribunes and have laws written down (Twelve Tables). By the late Republic, the distinction blurred, but patricians still held social prestige. During the Empire, the class system evolved into senatorial, equestrian, and plebeian orders.

Question 4

How did Athenian democracy work?

Accepted Answer

Athenian democracy was a direct democracy where male citizens over 18 could vote on laws and policies in the Assembly (Ekklesia). Key institutions included the Council of 500 (Boule), which set the agenda, and the popular courts (Dikasteria), where citizens served as jurors. Ostracism allowed citizens to exile a threatening figure for ten years. However, only about 10-20% of the population were citizens; women, slaves, and metics (resident foreigners) had no political rights. Pericles' Funeral Oration (as recorded by Thucydides) celebrates this system.

Question 5

What was the patron-client system in Rome?

Accepted Answer

The patron-client system (clientela) was a social and political relationship where a wealthy patron (patronus) provided legal protection, financial support, and favours to a client (cliens). In return, the client offered loyalty, political support, and services. This system was crucial for Roman politics: patrons built networks of clients to secure votes and influence. For example, a senator might have hundreds of clients who would attend his morning salutation (salutatio) and support his career. The relationship was hereditary and formalised by social custom.

Question 6

How did the Greeks view foreigners (barbarians)?

Accepted Answer

The Greeks called non-Greeks 'barbarians' (barbaroi), a term that originally meant people who spoke unintelligible languages (sounding like 'bar-bar'). They often viewed barbarians as inferior, uncivilised, and prone to tyranny, in contrast to Greek ideals of freedom and democracy. This attitude was reinforced by the Persian Wars (490-479 BC), where Greeks portrayed Persians as decadent and despotic. However, some Greeks, like Herodotus, showed curiosity about other cultures, and there was trade and cultural exchange, especially with Egypt and the Near East.

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