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 become important in Greek science and philosophy.

Late Archaic period (546-479 BC)

The Late Archaic period was dominated by the Persian Wars and the forging of an alliance to resist huge Persian armies and naval forces. Darius becomes ruler in Persia (522 BC) and proceeds to conquer the Ionian Greek city states. The Ionian Revolt and associated revolts in Aeolis, Doris, Cyprus and Caria were military rebellions by several Greek regions of Asia Minor against Persian rule (499-93 BC). They were supported by Athens and Eritrea. The Persians crushed the Ionians (by 494 BC). Darius attempted to punish the Athenians and invaded Greece with a huge army. The Spatans do not send help in time, but the Persians are stopped by Athenian hoplites at Marathon in 490 BC. The Greek victory at Marathon can be seen as the birth of the concept of freedom. After Darius died, Xerxes attepmted to avenge his father and invaded Greece again, this time with an even larger army and navy. The Persians a were held at Termoplyae by a Greek army including Spartans who fought to the death killing thousands of Persians and giving Athens time to organize a defense. The Persian navy was then destroyed by the Athenians at Salamis,arguably the greatest naval attle of th ancient world (480 BC). The bulk of the Persian army was forced to withdraw from Greece. The remaing Persians are defeated at Platea and Mycale (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 helped finance the cultural flowering 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 Ionian Greeks in 386 BC. Athens orders Socrates, a inteletual gadfly, killed (399 BC).

Hellenistic priod (336-221 BC)

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

Rise of Rome (220-167 BC)

The Greek era ends with the emergence of Rome as the domnant Mediterranean power leading to the conquest of Greece. Attalus III the last king of Pergamum died and left his kingdom to Rome (133 BC). Rome established the province of Asia Minor (130 BC). Pergamum is made the capital. While Rome conquers Greece, the classical tradition of Greece becomes a vital part of Roman culture and thought.

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.

Created: September 17, 2002
Last updated: 4:50 PM 12/14/2016