🏺Intro to Greek Archaeology Unit 8 – Greek Domestic Life and Burial Customs

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Oikos refers to the ancient Greek household, which includes family members, slaves, and property
• Andron is a room in Greek houses reserved for men to entertain male guests
• Gynaeceum is the women's quarters in an ancient Greek house where women spent most of their time
• Klismos is a type of ancient Greek chair with curved legs and a backrest
• Lekythos is a type of ancient Greek pottery used for storing oil, often placed in graves as offerings
• Stele is an upright stone slab or pillar used as a grave marker, often decorated with relief sculptures or inscriptions
• Loutrophoros is a type of Greek pottery used to carry water for ritual washing or funeral rites
  • Often placed on the graves of unmarried individuals

Historical Context and Timeline

• Ancient Greek domestic life and burial customs span from the Archaic period (8th-6th centuries BCE) to the Hellenistic period (4th-1st centuries BCE)
• During the Archaic period, Greek society was primarily agricultural, with households being the basic unit of production
• The Classical period (5th-4th centuries BCE) saw the rise of city-states (poleis) and increased urbanization, which influenced domestic life and architecture
• In the Hellenistic period, Greek culture spread across the Mediterranean, leading to the adoption and adaptation of Greek domestic and burial practices in other regions
• The role of women in ancient Greek society was primarily domestic, with limited participation in public life
• Slavery was a common practice in ancient Greek households, with slaves performing various tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare

Greek Household Structure

• The ancient Greek household (oikos) was the basic social and economic unit of society
• Households typically consisted of the male head of the household (kyrios), his wife, children, and slaves
• The kyrios was responsible for managing the household's property, finances, and religious duties
• Women were primarily responsible for managing the domestic sphere, including overseeing the work of slaves and the upbringing of children
• Children were educated at home by their mothers until the age of seven, after which boys received formal education while girls continued to learn domestic skills
• Slaves were an integral part of the household, performing various tasks and sometimes forming close bonds with the family
• Extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, often lived in the same household or nearby

Daily Life in Ancient Greek Homes

• Daily life in ancient Greek homes revolved around the maintenance of the household and the fulfillment of social and religious obligations
• Women spent most of their time in the gynaeceum, engaging in activities such as weaving, spinning, and overseeing the work of slaves
  • Weaving was an important skill for women, as it was associated with the goddess Athena and considered a sign of virtue
• Men spent their time in the andron, entertaining male guests, discussing politics, and engaging in leisure activities such as drinking and playing games
• Meals were typically eaten separately by men and women, with men dining in the andron and women in the gynaeceum
• Religious rituals, such as sacrifices and libations, were performed daily at the household altar (hestia) to honor the gods and ancestors
• Education was highly valued in ancient Greek society, with boys receiving formal schooling in subjects such as reading, writing, music, and athletics
• Leisure activities included attending theatrical performances, participating in festivals, and engaging in athletic competitions

Domestic Architecture and Layout

• Ancient Greek houses varied in size and layout depending on the wealth and status of the household
• Houses typically had a central courtyard (aule) surrounded by rooms on two or three sides
• The andron was usually located near the entrance of the house, allowing male guests to enter without disturbing the women's quarters
• The gynaeceum was located in the innermost part of the house, providing privacy and protection for the women and children
• Kitchens and bathrooms were often located in separate areas of the house, sometimes in the courtyard
• Houses of the wealthy often had multiple stories, with the upper floors reserved for private living quarters
• Many houses had a shop or workshop attached to the front, where the household produced and sold goods
• The construction materials used in Greek houses varied depending on the region and availability, but commonly included stone, mud brick, and wood

Household Objects and Artifacts

• Ancient Greek households contained a variety of objects and artifacts that reflect the daily life and values of the society
• Pottery was ubiquitous in Greek homes, used for storage, cooking, and serving food and drink
  • Different types of pottery were used for specific purposes, such as amphorae for storing wine and oil, and kraters for mixing wine with water
• Furniture in Greek homes was typically simple and functional, made of wood, bronze, or stone
  • Common pieces included klinai (couches), trapezai (tables), and diphros (stools)
• Textiles, such as clothing, bedding, and wall hangings, were important household items, often produced by the women of the household
• Jewelry and personal adornments, such as hairpins, earrings, and necklaces, were worn by both men and women
• Household altars (hestia) were a central feature of Greek homes, used for daily religious rituals and offerings to the gods and ancestors
• Toys and games, such as dolls, tops, and knucklebones, have been found in Greek households, indicating the presence of children and leisure activities

Burial Practices and Rituals

• Burial practices and rituals were an important aspect of ancient Greek society, reflecting beliefs about the afterlife and the importance of honoring the dead
• The most common burial practice was inhumation, where the body was placed in a grave or tomb
  • Cremation was also practiced, particularly in the Archaic period, with the ashes placed in an urn or scattered
• Grave goods, such as pottery, jewelry, and weapons, were often placed in the tomb to accompany the deceased in the afterlife
• Funerary monuments, such as stelae and statues, were erected to mark the grave and commemorate the deceased
• Funeral processions were elaborate events, with the body carried on a bier and mourners following behind, singing laments and performing ritual gestures
• Offerings, such as libations and sacrifices, were made at the grave to honor the deceased and ensure their well-being in the afterlife
• The family of the deceased was responsible for maintaining the grave and performing regular offerings and rituals
• The festival of Genesia was an annual event where families visited the graves of their ancestors to perform offerings and rituals

Archaeological Evidence and Discoveries

• Archaeological excavations have provided valuable insights into ancient Greek domestic life and burial customs
• The site of Olynthus in northern Greece, destroyed in 348 BCE, has yielded well-preserved examples of Greek houses and household objects
  • The houses at Olynthus follow the typical layout of a central courtyard surrounded by rooms, with evidence of domestic activities such as cooking and weaving
• The Athenian Agora, the central public space of ancient Athens, has revealed numerous domestic and commercial structures, as well as artifacts related to daily life
• The cemeteries of Athens, such as the Kerameikos and the Demosion Sema, have provided a wealth of information about burial practices and funerary art
  • The Kerameikos contains thousands of graves spanning from the Bronze Age to the Roman period, showcasing the evolution of burial customs over time
• The royal tombs at Vergina in northern Greece, believed to belong to the family of Alexander the Great, contain rich grave goods and elaborate frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology
• The study of human remains from Greek graves has provided insights into the health, diet, and demographics of ancient Greek populations
• The analysis of stable isotopes in human bones has revealed information about the geographic origins and migration patterns of individuals buried in Greek cemeteries