Men in Athenian Society

Men in Athenian Society

While being a male citizen of Athens allowed for many privileges the metics, slaves and women lacked, it also carried with it a great deal of responsibility. Male citizens had many roles, both personal and social, that they were expected to fulfil in order to maintain the polis and their community. Primarily, a male citizen controlled wealth, owned land and slaves, had heirs, controlled inheritances, paid tax, provided for and attended religious events and festivals, and belonged to the citizen Assembly which permitted him to have a political voice. The male citizen of Athens was at the highest level of hierarchy of all the populace. 
It was expected the male citizens achieve an education and, depending on class and wealth, this would usually start at the age of five and last until the child was fourteen, or eighteen for wealthier families. Male citizens, once reaching the age of eighteen, were required to undertake two years of military training in the citizen army as an ephebe (a conscript), as well as being subject to universal political service. Those of wealthier birth who could afford horses were placed in the cavalry, and those that could afford the heavy armour worn by hoplites were placed with the army’s heavy infantry. Men were required to fulfil the role they could afford and the three representatives of their clan, or Demes, made sure that each man bought his required gear.
Besides being a member of the Assembly, male Athenian citizens were almost certain, at least once in their lifetime, to be chosen by lot as one of the Council, or Boule, of five hundred, and to serve a year in this body which prepared legislation for the Assembly and coped, by means of smaller committees, with the day to day exigencies of administration. In addition to his legislative responsibilities, each citizen was liable to executive duties. A citizen might be allotted for a year’s service to any of a number of committees or boards such as Treasurers, Lessors of Public...

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