Childhood in Classical Athens

Athenian children’s lives were sharply divided by gender and class.

Boys (Citizen Class)

• Education: Paidagogos escorted them to school (reading, writing, lyre, gymnastics) from age 7.
• Ephebic training: At 18, two-year military/civic service.
• Play: Knucklebones, hoops, ball games, toy carts.

Girls

• Raised at home; taught weaving, cooking, household management.
• Married early (mid-teens) to older men.
• Limited public role; religious festivals (Arrhephoria, Brauronia) were key social outlets.

Lower Classes & Non-Citizens

Child labor common—farming, pottery, mining. Metics’ children had no citizenship path. Slavery meant no childhood at all.

Religion & Discipline

All children participated in city festivals. Corporal punishment was standard pedagogy.

Adulthood arrived at 18 for males (enrollment in deme), marriage for females.