Figure 1.--.

Greece during the Classical period was composed of independent city-states, the largest and most important was Athens, followed by Sparta and Thebes. Although these city states were relatively small a fierce spirit of independence and desire for freedom enabled the Greeks to defeat the massive Persian armies and navies in some of the most notable battles in human history: Marathon, Thermopiles, Salamis, and Plataea. HBC at this times has little information on historic Greek boys' clothing. We do note that the warm Medditeranean climate of Greece is an imoprtant factor even in antiquity. Historians report the ancient Greeks considered children to be miniature adults. There is no indication that the Greeks regarded children as anything different from small-sized adults. By the time a child was about 13 years old, he or she was considered an adult citizen in every respect. Alexander was, for example, involved in military engagements at age 12. There were differences from city to city, especially with Sparta. There were, however, many similarities. Boys and girls were reared very differently. Plato discusses the education of children in The Republic. Boys were educated separately for their future responsibilities as citizens of the state. Women had a different role and have been described as little above slaves. Girls were informally educated in the home by their mothers. Children of both sexes often wore no clothing at all when they were very young. There does not appear to have been any specialized garments for children before they began wearing adult garments. Boys spent a lot of time naked in athletic training. Here some illustrations/vase decorations provide useful information.

Greek City States

Greece during the Classical period was composed of independent city-states, the largest and most important was Athens, followed by Sparta and Thebes. Although these city states were relatively small a fierce spirit of independence and desire for freedom enabled the Greeks to defeat the massive Persian armies and navies in some of the most notable battles in human history: Marathon, Thermopiles, Salamis, and Plataea.

Time Line

The Greek world slowly emerged from the dark ages in the 8th century. Slowly city states began to coalece. Cornith was one of th earliest city states. Then Sparta and Atthens emerged as the two mot powerful. This emergence corresponds with the beginning of relatively reliable chronological dates. Classical Greece is often dated from about 625 BC.

Early Archaic period (625-547 BC)

The Early Archaic priodis characterized by the rise of Sparta and Athens as the predominate Greek city states. Homer was reportedly born about 650 BC. The Ionian are becomes important in Greek science and philosophy.

Late Archaic period (546-479 BC)

The Late Archaic period was dominated by the conflict with Persia and the forging of an alliance to resist hyge Persian armies and naval forces. Darius becomes ruler in Persia in 522 BC and proceeds to conquers Byzantium and the other Ionian Greek city states. The Ionian Greeks revolt in 499 BC and are suppoted by Greece. The Persians crush the Ionians by 494 BC. Darius attempts to punish the Athenians and invade Greece with huge army. The Spatans do not send help in time, but are stopped by Athenian hoplites at Marathon in 490 BC. After Darius dies, Xerxes invades Greece with an even larger army and navy. The Persians are held at Termoplyae by a Greek army including Spartans who fight to the death killing thousands of Persians and giving Athens times to organize a defense. The Persian navy is destroyed by the Athenians at Salamis in 480 BC. The bulk of the Persian army is forcedto withdraw from Greece. The remaing Persians are dfeated at Platea and Mycale in 479 BC.

Classical period (478-337 BC)

The classical era is most often seen as the pinacle of the Greek age. The Ionian city states regain independence and are accepted by the Athens-dominated Delian League in 478 BC. The defeat of Persia left the Athnians with an empire. The profits from the empire hlped finance the cultural floweing knon as the Golden age. Proud Athens saw itself as the Schollo Hellas. Oposition to Athenian hegenomy and the Pax Attica built support for Sparta which symbolized many traditional Greek values and provided a counter to Athens. The Peloponessian War between Athens and Sparta begins in 431 BC. Sparta eventually emerges victorious over Athens in 404 BC. Persian regains control over the Ioniab Greeks in 386 BC. Athens orders Socrates killed in 399 BC. Persian

Hellenistic priod (336-221 BC)

Classical Greece ended with the rise of Mcedonian power under Philip and then his son Alexander. Alexander was born in 356 BC. He becomes king upon the assaintion of his father in 336 BC. He completes the conquest of Greece and crosses Dardanelles into Asia Minor in 334 BC, defeating the Persians at on of the great batle of hiory--Granicus. He liberates the Ionian cities Greks from the Persians. The Persian Empire is destroyed at the decisive batle of Issus battle in 333 BC. Alexander goes on to conuer the known world, finally tuning back in India. He dies in Babylon after an epic trek back from India age 32. Several new states arise in the Hellinistic world conquered by Alexander.

Rise of Rome (220-167 BC)

The Greek era end with the mergence of ome as the domnant Mediterranean power leading to the conquest of Greece. Attalus III the last king of Pergamum dies and leaves his kingdom to Rome in 133 BC. Rome established the province of Asia Minor in 130 BC. Pergamum is made the cpital.

Clothing Trends

HBC at this times has little information on historic Greek boys' clothing. We do note that the warm Medditeranean climate of Greece is an imoprtant factor even in antiquity. There does not appear to have been any specialized garments for children before they began wearing adult garments. Boys spent a lot of time naked in athletic training. Here some illustrations/vase decorations provide useful information.

Childhood

Historians report the ancient Greeks considered children to be miniature adults. There is no indication that the Greeks regarded children as anything different from small-sized adults. By the time a child was about 13 years old, he or she was considered an adult citizen in every respect. Alexander was, for example, involved in military engagements at age 12. There were differences from city to city, especially with Sparta. There were, however, many similarities.

Gender

Boys and girls were reared very differently. Plato discusses the education of children in The Republic. Boys were educated separately for their future responsibilities as citizens of the state. Women had a different role and have been described as little above slaves. Girls were informally educated in the home by their mothers. Children of both sexes often wore no clothing at all when they were very young.